Five journalists have been assaulted in the North Point area of Hong Kong.
Reporters, broadcasters and photographers have been on the end of increased hostility in Hong Kong and a general apathy from the police.
Head of Reporters Without Borders East Asia Bureau, Cédric Alviani said: “Violence against journalists has now become systematic and clearly aims to discourage them from covering the protests.”
Five attacks and assaults have been reported by Journalism Sans Frontieres:
After approaching a crowd to ask why they had been beating a man in black in North Point, a Ming Pao journalist was punched on his left cheek.
A Stand News reporter was threatened with a stick and had his tripod seized by a crowd in North Point as an RTHK journalist was assaulted. Nearby police failed to intervene.
Several middle-aged men punched a journalist working outside the Metropole building. After the attackers were identified to police, they failed to make any arrests.
Mr Alvani called on Hong Kong authorities to: “terminate the violence against the press and launch an independent investigation into the past acts of brutality.”
Since mid-June, Hong Kong has seen the largest pro-democracy protests in decades, triggered by concerns over the growing influence of the Chinese mainland and Beijing.
Citizens carried out massive demonstrations to protest against the ramping up of a new extradition bill that would allow authorities to extradite citizens and visitors to China, with little to no rights or protections.
Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) called on Carrie Lam, the leader of Hong Kong, to: “Unequivocally withdraw the Extradition Bill,” stating fears that it would be an existential threat to journalists and their sources.
The Hong Kong Association of Journalists has stated: “this is one of the worst years for press freedom.”
Freedom of the press is written into the constitution of Hong Kong, but since 2014 the country has faced increased pressure on these laws from the CCP.
Since a Chinese takeover of the South China Morning Post in 1997, several journalists, known for their critical stance towards China, have been forced from their posts and some publications have been refused entry to Chinese events.
Violence towards journalists is on the rise across the globe, says RSF. Guardian columnist, Owen Jones, was assaulted outside an East London pub whilst celebrating a birthday and there have been multiple reports on attacks on reporters covering pro-Republican rallies.
On August 20, a journalist was left in a critical condition in an unprovoked attack in the Lennon Wall area of Hong Kong. The police have yet to charge anyone with the attack.
