Television reporter attacked in Shanxi
( 2003-11-14 09:12) (China Daily)
A journalist from China Central Television (CCTV) was beaten by workers at a
coking plant in North China's Shanxi Province on Wednesday, the State
Environmental Protection Administration said.
Xu Xiangyu, who was travelling with a pollution inspection team sent by the
administration, was grabbed by his collar by the plant boss. The plant boss then
asked him to hand over his camera. Xu was taking pictures at the Xuanbao coking
plant in Baode County at 3:30 pm.
The plant was thought to have been polluting.
Although Xu showed his press card, the boss, who was unnamed by the
administration, snatched Xu's camera and ordered his workers to beat Xu, an
administration source said.
One of the workers hit Xu with a shovel and some threw coal balls at him. It
was more than 10 minutes later that inspectors, who were alerted by the noise,
stopped the workers, the administration told China Daily.
The camera was not reclaimed until Vice-County Magistrate Hao Zhongrong and
county bureau director of environmental protection Zhang Jie arrived.
Pan Yue, vice-minister and spokesman of the State Environmental Protection
Administration, has urged environmental inspectors on the front lines to try
their best to protect journalists who cover environment news.
Meanwhile, the China Forum of Environmental Journalists yesterday issued a
statement asking for a quick response from the local governmental and punishment
of those responsible.
|
