Journalists Association blasts attack on reporter

The reporter (pictured) and her sister were attacked in a restaurant in Kwun Tong. Photo: Courtesy of Apple Daily

Chris Yeung speaks to RTHK's Timmy Sung

The chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), Chris Yeung, says an attack on an Apple Daily reporter on Tuesday night represents a direct threat to press freedom in the SAR.



The journalist and her sister were assaulted by a group of masked men while they were having dinner with their family in a restaurant in Kwun Tong.



The two women suffered injuries to their faces and hands, and detectives say they are treating the incident as assault occasioning actual bodily harm.



Yeung said the HKJA condemns the attack, which he believes must be related to the pro-democracy newspaper's coverage of the ongoing anti-government protests.



"It appears to be directly related to the work of the journalist who has covered a lot of the protests," he told RTHK's Timmy Sung.



"We think it's a serious warning, and a serious threat to the safety of journalists."



Yeung said the attack was not an isolated incident and there has been a worsening in the reporting environment for journalists in Hong Kong in recent months, with threats from various fronts, including the police.