VietNamNet Bridge – A journalist from Vietnam News Agency (VNA) was attacked by a man armed with a rock hammer while reporting on a story in the northern province of Tuyen Quang.

A journalist from Vietnam News Agency (VNA) was attacked by a man armed with a rock hammer while reporting on a story in the northern province of Tuyen Quang.— VNA/VNS Photo

Senior management at VNA have condemned the attack and asked the local authority to take action to protect journalists carrying out their duties.

VNA’s Deputy General Director and Chairman of the VNA’s Journalists Federation Le Quoc Minh, said their resident correspondent in Tuyen Quang, Nguyen Van Ty and a colleague from another newspaper came to Tan Tien Village to report on the illegal exploitation of lead and zinc ore in a local resident’s garden.

As they were shooting video and taking photographs, homeowner Ban Van Truong appeared and asked them to delete the images.

When the journalists refused, Truong allegedly chased the reporter and hit him with a rock hammer. When Ty and his colleague tried to leave, Truong and his nephew are alleged to have continued to chase and throw stones at the two reporters. They escaped the scene thanks to the help from local residents.

After the incident, Ty reported the case to both VNA and the local authority. Son Duong District police sent a team to the area and confiscated 140 packs of illegally-exploited ore and fuses suspected to be used for mine explosion. The police also implemented measures to protect the two reporters.

VNA Deputy General Director Le Quoc Minh stressed as Vietnam News Agency was an important information department of the Party and State, its reporters had a duty to bring accurate information to readers and audiences.

“It is unacceptable to interfere with the work, to take aggressive action and to use violence that can affect reporters’ lives,” he said.

“Such actions violate the law. Vietnam News Agency wants the authorities to quickly investigate the case and punish anyone who committed a crime."

According to local reports, illegal ore mining has been going on for a long time, with explosives used causing cracks in people’s houses and endangering lives.

Son Duong District Police is investigating the case.

Kon Tum reporter attacked

In another case, a Vietnam Television reporter in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highland) province of Kon Tum was injured after he was attacked by a group of men on Sunday morning, causing him injuries.

Hoang Dinh Chieu, 59, was set upon by two men when he was having breakfast on Ho Quy Ly Street.

According to Kon Tum General Hospital’s medical records, Chieu was admitted to the hospital with injuries on the left eye, left chest, nasal bleeding and broken nose due to being beaten.

Before the assault, on Saturday night, Chieu received a death threat call for "obstructing their business." Two men also came to Chieu’s house, aggressively asking for talks.

The case is under investigation.

Source: VNS