Members of the Kancheepuram District Reporters’ Association staged a protest on Wednesday near the Sembakkam Panchayat Office, demanding the arrest of those who attacked The New Indian Express photographer Albin Mathew.
Mathew was attacked by a professor and some security guards at the IIT Madras, where he was deputed to take photographs following information about a student’s suicide on Tuesday.
Secretary of the association, Muniandi, said that such behaviour towards journalists was unacceptable. “Over the past few months, we have seen a spate of attacks against reporters and camerapersons. As recently as last week, a TV crew was attacked while filming illegal activities in a quarry. We require strict action and demand the arrest of those who attacked Mathew,” he said.
A protestor said, “It is one thing when miscreants beat up the press; it is quite another when a professor of such a premier institute attacks one of us. Moreover, detaining him (the photographer) was totally uncalled for.”
Reporters and cameramen from various publications and TV channels turned up to show their solidarity. Amid calls of “Arrest the rowdies who attack Press” and “We will not be intimidated”, the scribes also demanded protection for press persons all over the State.
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