The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned on Wednesday violence against media workers targeted both by police officers and protesters while covering demonstrations against mandatory vaccinations in Australia's Melbourne
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2021) The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned on Wednesday violence against media workers targeted both by police officers and protesters while covering demonstrations against mandatory vaccinations in Australia's Melbourne.
For the third day in a row, the second largest city of Australia is witnessing anti-coronavirus measures protests that end up with clashes and mass detentions. According to the IFJ, local media staff was "targeted deliberately" while on duty on Tuesday.
"Journalists and news crews were targeted by protestors and police during a series of protests in Melbourne on September 21. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Australian affiliate the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) condemn the aggressive and intimidatory harassment against media workers," the IFJ said in a statement.
The IFJ added, citing the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the Australian trade union, that both police and protesters pursued media workers reporting on the rallies. The corresponding complaint filed by the trade union to Victoria Police contains at least four instances of such abuses "media workers were manhandled, capsicum sprayed and detained during the course of their reporting."
The international organization called on Victoria Police to respond to the complaints to ensure that Australia's journalists can work without fearing undue harassment.
