Germany: CFWIJ Condemns The Violent Attack Against Journalists Katherin Grabener And Antonia Yamin
Location: Germany
Date: May 21, 2021
Katherin Grabener and Antonia Yamin associated with Kan News and RTL news network were attacked by demonstrators at a pro-Palestine protest in Berlin on May 15. The news team was recording the demonstration when the fireworks were thrown at them. As the journalist narrated something in Hebrew she was attacked. Protestors threw water bottles and pelted stones at the journalists. They also accused RTL news of propagating fake news and calling them out, to tell the truth. Thankfully the crew was unharmed in the violent attack. CFWIJ stands in solidarity with Antonia and Katherin and offers them our support. We believe that no journalist should be targeted while they are performing their job. We demand Berlin's law enforcement authorities to catch the perpetrators behind this heinous attack against women journalists.
Antonia stated that it was not the first time when she got targeted. She was attacked three years ago as well for speaking in Hebrew. She further mentioned that she was trying to stay calm after the shocking attack. Antonia, who is working as a correspondent for the Israeli state-owned TV channel, Kan News was recording her shot in Hebrew when she was attacked with a firecracker. She shared the experience in her Tweet, stating that “ I got home and I’m safe. I am thankful for the RTL team and their bodyguards who wanted to interview me and capture this moment. It is not easy being an Israeli reporter these days in European streets”
I got home and I am safe (thank you for all the support massages). I am thankful for the RTL team (and their bodyguards) that wanted to interview me and captured this moment. It's not easy being an Israeli reporter these days on European streets@kann_news pic.twitter.com/hQ7vjj6rMH
— Antonia Yamin אנטוניה ימין (@antonia_yamin) May 15, 2021
The other crew member Katherin Grabener shared with CPJ that they remained unharmed in the attack. She has filed a criminal report to the police over this harassment. She further shared that the hostility and the insults are frightening because it gives her an impression that people who make such accusations do not really follow any news. Katherin is convinced to continue reporting on demonstrations happening in the street and not be intimidated by anyone.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the violence against both journalists. We believe that no journalist should ever feel unsafe or threatened while reporting on the ground. We demand law enforcement authorities of Berlin to apprehend the perpetrators behind the attack.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.