Australia: Police Charge On Journalists In Perth

28 February 2000
Pacific Media Watch
Reporters Sans Frontières, asie@rsf.fr,

AUSTRALIA: POLICE CHARGE JOURNALISTS

PARIS: In a letter sent to the Police Minister of the state of Western Australia, Kevin Prince, Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) has protested at police violence against journalists in Perth.

RSF reminded the minister of "his duty to protect journalists, and to identify and to sanction those responsible for these acts". RSF is pleased to note that an inquiry has been opened and would like full light to be shed on this case.

According to the information collected by Reporters Sans Frontières, on 25 February 2000 riot squad police charged journalists covering a demonstration of members of the Building Workers' International Union (BWIU).

They were waiting for the Prime Minister, John Howard, outside the Chamber of Commerce building in Perth to protest against the government's industrial policy.

Several journalists fell to the ground after being struck with shields and a cameraman with Channel 7 was slightly injured.

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