The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the unexplained detention of two Hong Kong journalists by local police at a Sichuan hotel yesterday.
A journalist, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the IFJ that two Beijing-based journalists who work for the Hong Kong-based Now Television broadcaster were detained by police at their hotel in the early morning as they were leaving to report on the court case of poet, writer and environmental activist Tan Zuoren.
Tan is charged with inciting subversion of state power. According to Amnesty International, it is believed that Tan’s detention is linked to reporting on the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
A police officer reportedly approached the journalists claiming to be investigating a complaint that they were in possession of drugs and other prohibited goods. Several policeofficers then searched their rooms, the source told the IFJ.
Despite the search yielding no evidence, the journalists were held for several hours and police demanded they delete images on their cameras. After a complaint was filed at the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the journalists were released and the police left the hotel.
“The aim of police of Sichuan is obviously to try to block all media from covering the court case,” a colleague of the detained journalists said.
A statement issued by Now TV called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council to explain the reasons for the detention.
Reports of police attacking and detaining several supporters of Tan, including avant-garde artist and high-profile critic of China’s government Ai Weiwei, were also reported by the Associated Press.
“Attempts by local authorities to prevent local and international coverage of Tan’s court case or indeed any court case are an obstruction of the journalists’ freedom of movement as well as censorship,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide