The controller of BBC Scotland, John McCormick, has asked senior policemen not to use the Data Protection Act to restrict the media's access to information about crime.
In a speech to Lothian and Borders police, Mr McCormick said he was "concerned that some police forces are interpreting their data protection obligations in a way that obstructs the free flow of information.
"The naming of victims of accidents or crime is a particular problem.
"If someone is involved in an accident, it may be appropriate and the best practical solution for the police to ask their relatives whether their names can be revealed.
"However, the difficulties in implementing this has led to some police forces not releasing any details about accident victims at all."
Mr McCormick's remarks follow a number of incidences of the police using the Data Protection Act to withhold information from the press.
Earlier this year, the Society of Editors published guidelines on the issue.
Mr McCormick also raised the subject of the police seeking court orders to obtain video or film material shot at public events.
He said: "The prime concern of the BBC and other journalistic organisations is to supply the public with news - the basic job of journalism.
"To enable journalists to exercise freedom of speech (something they do on behalf of the public) they require a special degree of protection.
"In highly charged public disorder situations - such as that seen at the Govanhill Baths - if photojournalists simply hand over their pictures to the police, they will, quite justifiably, be seen by demonstrators as little more than an information gathering service for the police."
Mr McCormick also called for the relaxation of the laws that restrict broadcasters from covering criminal trials.
"Given that the principle of open justice has been accepted in Scotland for hundreds of years, it is difficult to reconcile the situation here with that which exists overseas," he said.
"I would ask those who feel alarm [about the televising of trials] to think first of all about the televising of the Westminster parliament and the Scottish parliament."
He said the "considerable misgivings" some observers had about the wisdom of televising these institutions had proved "unfounded".
