The National Assembly on Tuesday November 18, unanimously approved a motion calling for more transparency in the dissemination of information about criminals to prevent fear and stop rumours among the public.

The motion was tabled by Cascade MNA Charles De Commarmond, who argued that at times there was a lack of accurate and timely  information on issues such as escaped convicts, crimes and the capture of criminals.

Mr De Commarmond said that people tended to distort information when they got bits and pieces of news from different communication outlets, which did not always relay the right information.

Honourable De Commarmond noted that with the increase in the number of escaped convicts and crimes, more accurate information regarding these incidents should be released by the police so that members of the public can help in whatever way they can.

Giving an example he said different local newspapers gave conflicting reports about 28-year-old Benjamin Denis, who was shot dead by police at Morne Blanc recently.

He said that one newspaper reported that Denis had been at large since 1998, while another said that it was since 1999.

He said that while the police said that Denis was on the run, they failed to give any description of the wanted man during all those years and at the same time they wanted members of the public to help them in their search.

Mr De Commarmond urged all concerned to work in close collaboration with the media  to give correct information about criminals, crimes and other related issues.

All the MNAs who intervened spoke in favour of the motion. 

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