NUJ condemns attack on Northern Ireland freelance photographer

The National Union of Journalists has condemned an attack on a freelance photojournalist in Belfast who was assaulted leaving a function at CIty Hall on St Patrick's Day.

The union said the member involved had been covering a reception and was confronted by a group associated with the Loyalist flag protest.

NUJ Irish secretary Séamus Dooley said in a statement:

Our member noticed that he was being followed by one of the group, who took his photograph. Two men followed him down the street and referred in a threatening manner to his association with the Irish News.

They told him they knew which gym he went to, accused him of working for Sinn Féin, being a dissident and subjected him to sectarian abuse. The behaviour was deeply disturbing. For a freelance photographer to be attacked in this way is unacceptable.

Like many freelances this man works for a variety of media organisations, including the Irish News. No one should be threatened or intimidated because of their association with any media organisations. Coming so soon after attempts to intimidate a court reporter this incident yet again highlights the difficulties faced by media workers in Northern Ireland.

The tone and language used is reflective of widespread sectarianism which can have no place in Northern Ireland.