[JEPF strongly condemns anti-Occupy protesters’ attacks on journalists]
Journalism Educators for Press Freedom (JEPF) strongly condemns the attacks on journalists at an evening rally in Tsim Sha Tsui on 25th October. We call on the police to investigate the incident promptly and to arrest the assailants.
The anti Occupy Movement rally was organised by the Blue Ribbon Movement, the Support Police Alliance and the Justice Alliance. During the event, a reporter from Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) was surrounded by rally participants who stopped her from video recording the rally. She fell to the ground as her backpack and press pass were snatched off her. She was kicked in the left shoulder, waist and arm.
Also, a TVB reporter and two camera operators were attacked at the same rally. Their clothing was pulled and ripped, the reporter was pulled by his necktie and a camera operator’s T-shirt was torn apart. The trio were beaten on the body and in the face, with clear marks left on the skin. As the reporter was leaving, he was verbally abused and called a “traitor” and “running dog”. In the chaos, a camera was at one point snatched away. The three journalists were helped to leave the scene by police officers, yet noone was arrested at the scene.
JEPF is shocked by the incident. Hong Kong is a civilized society, we cannot just enact violence on others. Besides which, journalists reporting on a rally are not in a position of conflict with participants, there is no reason whatsover for them to attack journalists. This kind of unprovoked attack on journalists create an atmosphere of fear for their personal safety. RTHK and DBC announced they would temporarily stop sending reporters to cover blue ribbon events and activities. This shows just how serious the situation is.
JEPF believes it is the duty of journalists to report. To enact violence on journalists so that they are unable to carry out that duty, is to deprive the public of their right to know and is a threat to press freedom.
https://m.facebook.com/HKJEFPF/posts/741619795874089?fref=nf
