EBU: dismayed by the attacks on journalists in China

The EBU on Monday (November 28th) condemned the "attacks" against journalists covering protests against health restrictions in China. In a press release, this organization, whose headquarters is in Geneva, "condemns in the strongest terms the intolerable intimidation and attacks against journalists and the production teams of EBU members in China."

The EBU stresses that the situation in China is becoming "increasingly volatile" following demonstrations by opponents of the zero tolerance strategy against Covid-19. Eric Scherer, Chairman of the EBU News Committee, added: "I would like to express our dismay at the news of the unjustified arrest of several foreign journalists, officially authorized to report in China, in connection with their work." “We hope to receive an official explanation of these disturbing incidents from the relevant authorities, in order to understand how we can continue to guarantee safe working conditions for journalists based in China,” he continued.

According to the BBC, one of its reporters covering these historic protests in Shanghai was arrested and beaten while in custody. A journalist from Swiss radio and television RTS "was harassed while he was live on the air," the EBU said, stressing that other journalists were also threatened while some were prevented from going on the air or from filming. “The assault and intimidation of journalists by police and other authorities in China is unacceptable and these latest incidents mark another low blow,” Deputy Media Director and News Chief Liz Corbin said in the statement. "We urgently call on the Chinese authorities to respect the rights of EBU member journalists living and working in China to help the public in foreign countries better understand what is happening there," she said.

The EBU, the largest public service media alliance in the world, has 112 member organizations in 56 countries, as well as 31 affiliates in Asia, Africa and the Americas.