BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Two photo journalists in Barbados, charged with assaulting and resisting police, appeared in court here on Monday and were released on bail.

The charges against videographer Jimmy Gittens, who freelances for the state-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and Cherie Pitt of The Nation newspaper, stem from an incident at the Central Police Station on Saturday.

The journalists were attempting to take photographs of a police constable held on drug charges when an altercation ensued with officers on duty at the time.

Pleaded not guilty

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges that have been laid against them.

Gittens was granted bail of Bds$2,500 (US$1,250) and Pitt in the amount of Bds$1,500 (US$750).

On Monday, representatives of media houses in Barbados gathered at the District A Magistrates' Court, in a show of solidarity with the media workers.

They are due to reappear in court on May 11.

In the meantime, the police officer, Constable Tory Omar Brathwaite, 23, who has been charged with possession, trafficking and possession with intent to supply a kilo of cocaine, has been granted bail in the amount of Bds$50,000 (US$25,000).

He is due to make his next court appearance on January 7.

'The journalists were attempting to take photographs of a police constable held on drug charges when an altercation ensued.'