Media group: Romania must probe journalist attacks
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jan. 16, 2012: Anti-government protesters hold banners that read "Leave" or "Come out of your houses if you care" climbed on a group of statues in front of the national theatre, downtown Bucharest, Romania.
BUCHAREST, Romania -- A media organization has called on Romanian authorities to identify and prosecute protesters and policemen who reportedly attacked nine journalists during violent anti-government demonstrations.
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organization said Wednesday that reporters were assaulted while covering days-long protests against austerity measures that degenerated into violence in Bucharest on Sunday and Monday.
SEEMO says the exact number of attacked journalists is not known. However, it mentions nine cases of journalists and other media employees who were either hit by stones and Molotov cocktails hurled by protesters or allegedly detained or beaten by riot police.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}At least 59 people were injured during the disturbances against harsh austerity measures and the way the country is run.