Repeated Police Attacks on the Press Must Not Go Unpunished

Arbejderen’s Editorial

Police officers struck two press photographers with batons during Saturday’s “remigration” demonstration.


Lucas William Carn
Political Editor


Over the weekend, the organisation “Det Danske Folk” once again held a demonstration in support of the neo-fascist policy of “remigration”. Once again, the demonstration was met by counter-protesters who refused to let the neo-fascists’ march pass without opposition.

It was therefore to be expected that the police would deploy in large numbers, probably in a state of heightened readiness for confrontation. And that is precisely what happened. Throughout the day, there were several clashes between demonstrators and the police. The police violence against anti-racists is in itself sufficient grounds for strong criticism of the law enforcement authorities. However, the counter-protesters were not the only ones to feel the force of police batons.

Two press photographers were also struck with batons by police officers: one from the newspaper Politiken and the other from Ekstra Bladet. One of them also had his camera smashed.

The photographer from Politiken subsequently had to seek treatment in the emergency department.

In response, Politiken devoted its entire front page on 19 October to an editorial written by its editor-in-chief, Christian Jensen, condemning police violence against the press. The editorial included the following passage:

“There is, then, a disturbing pattern emerging of a police force that, during highly politically charged events, does not hesitate to prevent the ‘traditional media’ from doing their job.”

“This is not just about Arbejderen’s reporter covering the events at Maersk. Nor is it just about the two photographers at the remigration demonstration. It is about whether we are willing to allow the erosion of the civil liberties that we are seeing emerge in an increasing number of places.”

At Arbejderen, we can only agree. Our own newspaper has also experienced police attacks on press freedom. Back in May, police officers pushed our reporter to the ground, refused to recognise the validity of their press credentials, and accused them of not being a journalist but rather “part of this” — meaning part of the political protest itself.

At Arbejderen, therefore, we have no choice but to express our solidarity with our colleagues at Politiken and Ekstra Bladet. Journalists must be able to do their jobs, even in highly tense situations, without being obstructed by police violence. This is at the heart of a free society: the press must be able to cover demonstrations and other events without fear of the police.

The fact that the chair of the Danish Police Federation has proposed banning the sharing of recordings´-or-photographs of police officers while they are carrying out their duties reveals which side the law enforcement authorities are taking. Instead of defending the right to free and critical press coverage, they are seeking to restrict it.

They must not be allowed to succeed.

This is not just about Arbejderen’s reporter covering the events at Maersk. Nor is it just about the two photographers at the remigration demonstration. It is about whether we are willing to allow the erosion of the civil liberties that we are seeing emerge in an increasing number of places.

As independent media organisations, we must stand together and make our opposition clear. This issue affects the entire media sector. We therefore offer our full support to Politiken and Ekstra Bladet, and we hope that these cases will have consequences for the police officers involved.

We also hope that our own case will reach a just and dignified conclusion, and that the wider media community will stand behind us as we, too, defend the right to a free and critical press.


https://arbejderen.dk/leder/politiets-gentagne-angreb-paa-pressen-maa-ikke-vaere-uden-konsekvenser/

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