A Liberal Democrat MP has released video footage of a journalist being detained within a police cordon at the G20 protests in London.
Tom Brake, who has submitted his video to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said: “This video raises concern about the relationship between the police and the media during the G20 protests.
“This journalist was obstructed in his work as we was not allowed to leave the area. This was an attack on the freedom of the press.
“There are clear guidelines laying out how the police should deal with the media: they have to allow them to go about their business.”
The National Union of Journalists yesterday announced plans to mount a legal challenge against police treatment of journalists at the protests.
And last month the joint committee on human rights published a report expressing concern about police handling.
It said: “Journalists have the right to carry out their lawful business and report the way in which demonstrations are handled by the police without state interference, unless such interference is necessary and proportionate, and journalists need to be confident that they can carry out their role.
“The media are the eyes and ears of the public, helping to ensure that the police are accountable to the people they serve.
“Effective training of frontline police officers on the role of journalists in protests is vital.
“Police forces should consider how to ensure their officers follow the media guidelines and take steps to deal with officers who do not follow them.”
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