On Sunday evening (21 July), a gang of people in white assaulted citizens and journalists at Yuen Long station on the MTR West Rail Line, during which one male and one female journalists were attacked by weapons such as wooden rods. The journalists were beaten to the ground and the male reporter was left bleeding in his mouth. Some among the gang in white seized and destroyed the reporter’s TV camera by throwing it at a hedge. At least one reporter was admitted to the hospital for treatment.
The journalists on scene were performing their duties. The assault of journalists constitutes a severe infringement of press freedom and the public’s right to know, and hinders them from fulfilling their duty as the fourth estate. We strongly condemn such violent acts and demand the police to arrest the assaulters still at large. We are also urgently appealing to the police to perform their duty and protect the people and journalists.
Hong Kong Journalists Association
Hong Kong Press Photographers Association
Independent Commentators Association
22 July 2019