News associations condemn attack on Xinhua

News associations condemn attack on Xinhua

The News Executives Association and the Hong Kong Journalists Association have condemned an attack by protesters on the office of Xinhua News Agency in Wan Chai, saying nobody should interfere with the operations of a news organisation.



The windows and glass doors of the entrance of the building in Wan Chai were completely shattered on Saturday afternoon, and black-clad, masked protesters had also set a small fire in the lobby.



Graffiti that was sprayed on the wall next to the entrance read "deport the communist thieves."



In a statement, the News Executives Association condemned all violent acts on news organisations and called on the police to take the matter seriously.



The Hong Kong Journalists Association also called for an end to violence against the media, saying their work should not come under any interference.



Xinhua itself issued a statement expressing strong condemnation of the "savage behaviours of rioters vandalising and setting fire to its Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau office building in Hong Kong."