Hong Kong journalist groups rebuke protesters for harassing TVB cameraman at anti-extradition rally
- Hong Kong Journalists Association criticises protesters for ‘serious infringement of press freedom’
- Some activists consider TVB’s coverage of protests too conservative and uncritical of government
Hong Kong journalist groups on Thursday condemned extradition bill protesters for harassing a television news cameraman who was covering their rally outside the justice minister’s office compound.
The TVB cameraman was filming the protest outside Justice Place in Central on Thursday afternoon when footage seemed to show a young protester – wearing black clothing and a mask – shining a flashlight in his eyes and into the camera lens.
Footage by another online news outlet, showed a protester using a yellow umbrella to block the cameraman’s lens while other protesters heckled him with verbal abuse.
As the cameraman was led away, some protesters were heard chanting: “Get away, rubbish. Why film us?” When the cameraman finally left the rally, many protesters booed.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association criticised the protesters for a “serious infringement of press freedom”.
“We appeal to the people to express views in a rational manner and not to obstruct media reporting, and also to respect the reporting rights of journalists,” the association said in a statement.