Media watchdog Geramm and National Union of Journalists (NUJ)
has condemned the attack on reporters outside the Low Yat plaza in Kuala Lumpur last night.
"Geramm condemns the irresponsible attack in the strongest terms possible, and would like to remind all that violence is never the best course of action.
"More importantly we would like to stress that media personnel on duty are there to serve the public and should not be made a target by irresponsible parties," it said in a statement.
Geramm also commended the police for moving against the perpetrators and hopes that action will be taken against those proven to be responsible, to the fullest extent of the law.
The journalist watchdog also decried the mob violence and cautioned against using the incident to promote racial tension and disrupt our national harmony.
"Geramm would also like to call for calm from all quarters, as well as from media personnel, and hope that all will let the law takes its course and police to do their job.
"We also would like to discourage any spreading of rumours and unconfirmed hearsay by all, including journalists, as this could lead to more complications and make things worse.
"We call upon media workers to remember the ethos and ethics of the profession and hold to the strictest and highest standards of conduct and reporting," it said.
Intention by thugs to stir up trouble
The three assaulted were Sin Chew Daily crime reporter Chan Woei Loon, Kwong Wah Yit Poh photographer Calvin Foong and China Press photographer Sam Kar Haur.
"NUJ strongly urge the police to take prompt action against these group of troublemakers," said its president Chin Sing Chew.
The group should have identified the journalists on duty and there was absolutely no reason to cause them harm, he added.
By attacking the journalists, Chin said there was a clear intention by the thugs to stir up trouble and attempt to racialise the mall brawl.
"We will not condone such violence as this may cause an unhealthy trend where media workers will be attacked when carrying out their public duty," he said, adding that nobody should take the law into his or her own hands.
He also likened the violence as an act of interfering with press freedom and preventing media practitioners from carrying out their duties effectively.
Chin also advised journalists who are assigned to cover possible "social unrest" event to follow guidelines given by the union's safety handbook.
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