Fourteen journalists injured by anti-government protesters

Reporters Without Borders voiced concern today that 14 journalists were injured outside the presidential palace on the evening of 10 April by a crowd of anti-government demonstrators who became increasingly hostile and aggressive towards the TV crews and press photographers present. The organisation said it was shocked by the level of violence shown towards the news media and the fact that the demonstrators identified the media with the government. When protesters began to attack the barricades around the palace, some of them became concerned that the government could use press photos and video footage to identify and prosecute them. A few minutes later, some demonstrators chased and attacked photographers and TV crews. Those injured included Huang Hsin-hao, a cameraman with the local TV station Era News, who had to be given 20 stitches after being attacked by about 10 demonstrators. He is still in hospital. City of Taipei spokesperson Wu Yu-shen appealed for respect for the media: "The journalists were between the crowd and the police lines in order to give the public objective information. Don't hit journalists. They deserve respect from the public and the government."