JOHOR BARU: Johor Media Club has reminded politicians and their security personnel against harassing journalists and photographers while they are carrying out their duties.
Its president Mohd Fauzi Ishak said the club would not take any kind of harassments on media practitioners lightly, and will consider lodging police reports against the perpetrators.
Mohd Fauzi cited an incident on Sept 5, where two alleged harassments on a female journalist covering the Home Ministry events at Taman Anggerik and subsequently at another event by the same ministry at Taman Dahlia, here, had occured.
The alleged harassment by one of the ministry security personnel occurred when he attempted to obstruct media practitioners during a press conference by the home minister.
He is said to have touched the female journalist's hand in an inappropriate manner while she was recording the event.
The security personnel is also alleged to have repeatedly pinched the back of another female journalist's waist in an attempt to hinder her from carrying out her duties during the press conference.
Mohd Fauzi said there was evidence of the alleged incident, as the reporter was recording the press conference and, in the recording, she could be heard shouting "Don't touch me".
He said a photographer was also pushed by security personnel while trying to capture photos.
Mohd Fauzi said following these incidents, concerns have arisen among media practitioners regarding their safety while covering the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections.
"Furthermore, the act of touching and pinching female journalists to the point of making them uncomfortable and threats are considered a form of sexual harassment," he said.
"The Johor Media Club views these incidents as a serious matter.
"It should not have had happened and we will not tolerate these incidents or similar," he added.
He urged all relevant ministries, agencies and the general population not to restrain media practitioners from carrying out their duties.
"The media should be given the opportunity and space to carry out their duties effectively in disseminating information to the public," he said.