The Hong Kong Journalists' Association said yesterday that the mainland authorities' decision to ban reporters from covering the riots in Tibet was unacceptable.

The media watchdog said the decision was in breach of rules laid down in January last year to facilitate Hong Kong and Macau media coverage of the Olympic Games and the preparatory period. Local reporters were free to conduct interviews without seeking permission from authorities, the association said in a statement in response to the expulsion.

'We are concerned that the demand for journalists to leave will only give the impression that the truth is being covered up. It's not conducive for the country to build an open image,' it said.