SUHAKAM Report of Public Inquiry into the Incidents During and After the Public Assembly of 28 April 2012 Chapter 6 FINDINGS BY THE PANEL OF INQUIRY: JOURNALISTS 6.1 The Panel’s findings are based on witnesses’ testimonies, assisted by the submission and questions posted by observers and exhibits tendered. Reference is also made to the following documents: Special Report on the Handling of the Media during Political Demonstrations by the Representative on Freedom of Media for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), 21 June 2007; and the Safety Handbook for Journalists of the National Union of Journalists. Freedom of Media 6.2 The media plays an important role in ensuring that the voices of the people are heard, and that the reporting of events and incidents is carried out accurately. The freedom of the media in reporting public assemblies or demonstrations is vital as it is very much a part of the freedom of assembly and expression, just as the freedom to assemble is an exercise of the freedom of expression. Article 19 of the UDHR states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. 6.3 For the proper exercise of the freedom of assembly and expression, and the discharge of its role and responsibilities, the media must be able to report and cover public assemblies without hindrances and fear of physical harm whether at the hands of the authorities or the participants. 6.4 Section 24 of the PAA 2012 which states that ”any media representative may have reasonable access to a place of assembly and use any equipment to report on the assembly” underscores the role and importance of the media in reporting and disseminating news and information on any public assemblies. Testimonies, Evidence, Medical Report, Photographs 6.5 The following witnesses, all media personnel who were assigned duties to cover the public assembly of 28 April 2012, testified as follows: • Mohd Radzi bin Abdul Razak (W17) testified that he was beaten up and punched by a group of police personnel causing him to suffer from, among others, fractured ribs. 73