Let media serve the community

Monday's assault of Gulf News and Al Ittihad reporters by officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is not acceptable and should not be allowed to go unpunished.

The labour minister, Dr Ali Abdullah Al Ka'abi, who ordered a prompt investigation into the case, should take strong action against those whose irresponsible act has defamed the ministry and tarnished the image of public servants.

Government officials in charge of enforcing the law are suppose to act in a respectable manner. They should refrain from behaving like street gangsters, whatever the provocation.

Leaders in the UAE have always called upon local media to be brave and report about wrongdoings wherever they occur in the country. The reporters who were roughed up and kicked out from the offices of the Labour Complaint Department at the ministry were actually trying to get information about a case of discrimination at the workplace filed by three local women.

The government should use the assault incident to educate its employees to understand the journalists' need for information and to train them to help media persons to perform their duties for the benefit of the public.