The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and journalists, today vehemently condemned the arrests and acts of aggression against Hong Kong journalists and photographers by the police.
According to the Hong Kong Journalists Association and Hong Kong Press Photographers Association, the police have targeted journalists while they were covering protests. Tear gas cannisters have been aimed at journalists and photographers, injuring them. Some journalists have been arrested as they tried to help their injured colleagues.
“The arrests of journalists and targeted attacks on them by the police is a gross violation of press freedom”, IPI Director of Advocacy Ravi R. Prasad said, urging the Hong Kong administration to take action against errant police officers.
IPI supports the demands of the two associations, who have urged the chief executive to set up an independent commission of inquiry and direct the police to stop targeting journalists.