Journalists united in condemning attacks against media practitioners

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemns the attack on two photographers and a reporter early this morning by an unruly group gathered at the Low Yat Plaza following a fracas over a disagreement in a smartphone store between a customer and the shop’s employees.

The journalist involved were present last night around midnight to cover the gathering at the plaza by some 200 citizens in an apparent continuation of Saturday's incident.

At about midnight, a group of men attacked several members of the media who werecovering the incident.

Sin Chew Daily crime reporter Chan Woei Loon who is also the secretary of NUJ-Sin Chew Branch was among the two other photographers Calvin Foong Yi Kian from Kwong Wah and Sam Kar Haur from China Press who were assaulted by the group.

He was attacked when attempting to protect the cameraman from the mob.

Chan was brought to a nearby clinic for treatment while another was given on-site medical attention.

NUJ strongly urge the police to investigate without delay and take prompt action against these group of troublemakers as there was absolutely no reason for them to physically harm the journalists.

"The reporters were assigned to cover the event and the group could have surely identified them as members of the press on duty.

"This is a clear indication that the thugs were there to stir up trouble and apparently creating attempts to racialise the mall brawl by attacking the journalists from the Chinese Press.

"We will not condone such act of violence and inflicting injuries on journalists as these incidents would create a unhealthy trend where media workers are attacked while carrying out their public duty.

Nobody can take the law into his or her own hands.

Meanwhile, a loose coalition of journalists, media representatives and activists or Geramm said media personnel present at Low Yat Plaza in Jalan Bukit Bintang here, early Monday was to serve the public with their reporting.

The reporters on duty should not be made a target by irresponsible parties, said Geramm.

The NGO was commenting on the riot near Low Yat Plaza in Bukit Bintang where several journalists were allegedly injured when a mob violence erupted.

“While reports are sketchy, several journalists were reported to have been hurt with at least two needing medical attention.

READ: Do not manipulate the Low Yat incident into a racial issue - PAS

In view of the imminent harm inflicted upon media personnel, Geramm condemns the irresponsible attack in the strongest terms possible and would like to remind all that violence is never the best course of action,” the group said in a statement.

Geramm calls for all quarters to remain calm and allow the authorities to execute their duties.

“We also would like to discourage any spreading of rumours and unconfirmed hearsay by all, including journalists, as this could lead to more complications and make things worse.

“We call upon media workers to remember the ethos and ethics of the profession and hold to the strictest and highest standards of conduct and reporting,” it said.

It also commend all media workers who stood firm and kept their cool during the incident.

“If nothing else this incident underscore why the media must remain united and stand together, and for right thinking Malaysians to keep calm and maintain our national harmony,” it added.