Media Release: China
June 03, 2013
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the three violent
attacks against journalists in Shannxi Province over the past week and is
particularly disturbed to learn of the involvement of Government
officials in one of the incidents.
On 29 May, Feng, a journalist of Shannxi Science and Technology Views
newspaper, was attacked by two men with a knife after he refused to accept
bribe during his investigations into an illegal land eviction in Yulin City,
Yuyang District. According to reports, the attackers yelled “Who asked you to
be so nosy!” Feng said the attack, which left him with several injuries,
happened during a meeting with the deputy minister of the local propaganda
department.
An additional two brutal attacks occurred
on 30 May. Two journalists of New West magazine reported
that they were threatened and attacked by several people under instruction from
the Department of Land and Resources, Shannxi province. According ot reports, the
pair were investigating illegal gold mining in Tongguan County, Weinan City.
When the pair made inquiries about a mining license to the department, a man claiming
to be the Director of the Department harassed and
scolded the journalists saying “Do we have to
report to media about what are we doing ? We have rights not to answer your
questions. I could make you die today.” The journalists
were then physically attacked by officers. One journalist was punched in the head
by the Director and kicked and punched all by
the other officers. He suffered numerous injuries as a result of the attack.
A third attached occurred at a vocational school in Weinan City. Two journalists
of a Shannxi Television were attacked by the Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster
of Shannxi HuaShan Vocational School when they were investigating a student
complaint. The journalists were injured and their camera damaged.
The IFJ I deeply concerned by the shocking brutality, victimisation and
complete disregard for role of media demonstrated by the government and leaders
in each of these three incidents. These attacks are an attack not only of the
individual journalists but also of press freedom in general” said the IFJ
Asia-Pacific office.
We urge the Central Government to act to ensure the safety of
journalists and foster an environment where they can carry out their
professional duties without interference.
For
further information contact IFJ
Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0950
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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