Pixman from Chinese daily assaulted during press conference
Centre for Independent Journalism, 17 November 2007
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned about the use of violence to prevent journalists from doing the work. Yesterday, a photographer from the Chinese daily, Guangming Daily, Kok Chun Seng alleged he was assaulted by members of the Malay political party, UMNO, while covering a press conference organised by an opposition Member of Parliament at his constituency in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
According to a report in the New Straits Times (17 November 2007), Koh, 27 claimed he was attacked for taking pictures of two UMNO members who had an argument with the Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai (from the Democratic Action Party) during a press conference held at a multipurpose hall in Kuala Lumpur on the alleged abuse of funds by UMNO. Tan had said that UMNO had misused the funds by building party service centres instead of a hall for the public. Several UMNO members confronted Tan, accusing him of trespassing on “private property”. They then prevented Kok from taking photo of the incident, one man punched him on his ear and another from the group punched him again when he tried to calm the situation. According to a Malaysiakini.com news article, Kok lodged a police report and he will submit photos of the attack later.
We are deeply concerned about the physical risks that journalists are coming under in recent times in discharging their duties. Just last week, two journalists from a local Tamil daily, Malaysian Nanban, have come under physical and verbal threats, allegedly over articles they have written. There are also anecdotes of individual journalists who receive verbal indirect threats for their coverage on specific topics like illegal logging. However, few journalists make these attacks public as they perceive them as part and parcel of their job hazards. There are few avenues available for journalists to seek recourse except by lodging police reports, and fewer still result in the cases resolved or action taken.
CIJ condemns the use of violence against journalists by any party, be it the state or non-state actors including political party members and individuals. Instead, they should respect the role of the media in reporting the truth in public interest. The media, as a watchdog of those in power, must be allowed to operate in a safe environment. We hope the police will investigate these cases thoroughly and bring to justice those who bring about harm to journalists.
CIJ calls for:
- Immediate and thorough investigations by the police into all threats, attacks, intimidation and harassment of journalists;
- Greater protection for journalists from all media background so that they can carry out their tasks without the risks of harm;
- Coordinated initiatives especially by the media organisations and the National Union of Journalists to ensure protection of staff and members; and
- Better awareness of and respect for the media's role in reporting the truth for public interest.
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
Centre for Independent Journalism
For more information, call 03 4023 0772 or 016-3123478.
