Journalists association protests against harassment
SIBU: Sibu Journalists Association issued a press statement yesterday to condemn certain party supporters for harassing reporters on election tally night.
It said this was against the principle of democracy, justice and fairness.
They hoped political leaders would intervene and help educate members of the public on the matter to uphold press freedom.
The association stated that it was sad the incident had occurred even though they had released a statement on May 3, in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, calling for the upholding of press freedom in relation to reporters’ work during the campaigning period for the May 5 general election.
The statement related the incident on election tally night: “On May 5 evening, a few reporters were blocked from entering the tally centre of Sibu constituency at Sibu Civic Centre by a group of party supporters.
“The group was not bothered that the reporters had press passes from the Election Commission. They insisted on checking their camera bags.”
It said a few even demanded that reporters be checked and searched their trousers and underwear.
Only when the group was pleased with their search that they let the reporters in and the group chanted `Bersih’.
The statement added, “This is a law-abiding society. People who are not enforcement officers have no right to search and check on the others. Even when officers are carrying out bodily check, they must identify themselves and produce their identity papers.”
It said those who had demanded to search and check on the reporters that night had no regards for the duty of the reporters.
The statement said the association understood the situation was tense that night, “but, we cannot accept the offence against the reporters”.
It said the UN’s theme for World Press Freedom celebration this year is, `Safe to speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media’.
“We appeal to members of the public, including political leaders, to uphold press freedom. Safeguard the media in their profession and their safety.”
The association hoped political leaders would help bring awareness to this, protect the freedom of press, the safety of the media and uphold the rights of the public to free information.