20. 06. 2014

17 JOURNALISTS ATTACKED DURING WORLD CUP

20. 06.2014 (Tanjug, B92) - At least 17 journalists reporting from the World Cup in Brazil have been attacked since the event began, reported the Inter American Press Association (IAPA).

IAPA said that Brazilian officials must remain vigilant to acts of violence which reduce attempts to collect information and reports about the protests of people who oppose the World Cup while millions of people still struggle with poverty in the country.

"We condemn and are concerned with the fact that while carrying out their work, dozens of journalists have been beaten and restricted from doing their job, in most cases by security forces," said Claudio Paolillo, chairman of the IAPA committee on press freedom.

"We regret that these aggressive actions are continuing despite measures being adopted by press organizations and official statements ratifying the principle of non-violence against the press," Paolillo said.

In the week since the World Cup began, journalists were attacked in Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. They worked for CNN, Reuters, The Associated Press and other news groups. Several were freelancers.