Now TV reporter attacked by CY Leung supporter

Two journalists were surrounded and attacked at the starting point of yesterday's pro-government march in Victoria Park, Now TV's news channel reported. It was just one incident in which the crowd targeted the media.

Following the attack, police said a 61-year-old was arrested for assaulting a 31-year-old man.

Chan Ching-sum, convenor of the march organiser Caring Hong Kong Power, claimed biased political reporting in the media had provoked the attack.

She said: "Some media are not neutral enough, so Hongkongers can tolerate no more."

Reporter Chau Chi-wing and cameraman Lau Ka-wo were covering the event for Now TV when 12 people waiting for the rally to start surrounded them.

"When [they] were interviewing one participant, other people joining the march became emotional," Now TV said. "The two reporters assigned to the site were conducting normal reporting activities.

"We express anger and condemnation against the violent treatment."

The station said Lau was punched in the head and his camera equipment damaged, while Chau's glasses were pulled off and trampled on, leaving the corner of his right eye injured.

The suspect continued to wave a Hong Kong flag as he was taken away by police.

Along the route, marchers repeatedly pointed at and scolded journalists, prompting police to try to calm down the crowd.

The Journalists Association and Press Photographers Association said the assault was a breach of Hong Kong's freedom of speech.