"Yellow Vests": journalists arrested, concern of RSF and SNJ

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Incidents between law enforcement and journalists, especially during the act 23 of Saturday, April 20, worry RSF and the SNJ. REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes

Reporters Without Borders and the National Union of Journalists rise to prominence after act 23 of the "yellow vests" and incidents between law enforcement and journalists. They denounce attacks on the freedom to inform.

Two independent reporters were placed in custody Saturday in Paris, including for " participation in a group to commit violence or degradation, " according to the Paris prosecutor.

In Toulouse and Paris, several journalists were hit by "grenades deencclement" or tear gas grenades.

" We begin to ask questions, " responded Vincent Lanier, SNJ's first national secretary. " Is there no determined desire to intimidate photographers in the field ? We have the impression that some are targeted . And to add: " We are on a very dangerous slope with respect to the freedom to inform ".

It takes legal action to question not only the behavior of certain police officers but especially the instructions given to these police officers.

Vincent Lanier

first national secretary of the SNJ

Reporters Without Borders Deputy Editor-in-Chief Catherine Monnet is also concerned that incidents involving journalists while filming or photographing hinder the work of the press.

The Ministry of the Interior defends itself, to undermine the freedom of the press. " If journalists are arrested, it is because of the offenses noted, " assured the ministry.