Deliberate violence against journalists covering peaceful protests

Reporters Without Borders supports calls by the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia and the Cambodian Centre for Independent Media for an investigation into the use of violence against at least seven journalists who were covering peaceful protests in Phnom Penh on the evening of 22 September. The violence began when masked men coordinating with the police attacked protesters with batons, slingshots and even electric prods. The demonstrations were called to demand electoral transparency and to protest against the expulsion of members of the Boeung Kak community from Phnom Penh. “We condemn the fact that clearly identifiable journalists were deliberately targeted during demonstrations in which they were not participating,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We are also concerned about the use of extra-legal civilian units to maintain order. Impunity for the physical violence deployed during peaceful demonstrations of this kind has a deterrent effect on reporters and encourages the media to censor themselves.” According to some sources, journalists were attacked by men in civilian dress and surgical masks whose weapons included riot guns. As they went into action, they were watched by members of a military police unit who later joined in. Seven journalists, mostly photographers, were injured. An electric baton was used to immobilize one journalist. Cambodia is ranked 143rd out of 179 countries in the 2013 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. See the video of the Phnom Penh Post ">here: