Read this before calling me about your latest police report

I support freedom of expression in all its forms.

Freedom to do this, freedom to do that. Believe me, I am all for freedom of expression.

But today allow me to address one peculiar practice that has become somewhat of the norm here, for years it seems.

I am talking about indiscriminate lodging of police reports, mainly by members of political parties, non-government organisations (NGOs), and assorted prominent individuals.

Let me be clear that I would never deny anyone’s right to lodge a police report, no matter how frivolous (or ridiculous) the issue may be.

However, I do question the underlying motive when a media invite is strategically sent out en masse before the said police report is lodged.

It does make one wonder, is the purpose of the police report being lodged actually just a ploy to gain free publicity?

If it is, perhaps spare a thought on the limited resources of the police. These men in blue could do without the burden of having to look into yet another frivolous report.

Adding insult to injury, some serial report lodgers have absolutely zero respect for other people's time.

They invite the media and (unapologetically) turn up half an hour late, and then have the audacity to tell waiting journalists that they will have to wait until after the report (a process that can take more than an hour) is lodged before giving their press conference.

At this juncture, let me once again reiterate that I do understand that what may seem trivial to one group of people, might be an issue of utmost concern for another.

That is, after all, at the very essence of what freedom of expression is all about.

That being said, allow me to continue with my rant for the day.

As journalists, we have a lot of things piled up on our plate every single day.

Even on certain days when things are not too hectic, we would rather be working on more important stories than rushing to the nearest police station to cover yet another police report being lodged.

My advice to those who love lodging police reports is this: try and take the high road once in a while. Fight for what you feel is right and if someone criticizes you or what you believe in (without clearly breaking any laws), just agree to disagree and move on.

After all, would it not be for the best if more of us spend less concern on being offended by some imagined slight, and just focus on what we believe in and work towards making it a reality?

In summary, what I’m trying to say is you can lodge as many police reports as you want, but when you do decide to invite the press, make sure it is for something truly worthwhile that can contribute in some way towards the advancement of our society.