Four journalistic associations in the country expressed their “concern” this Monday, June 16, over the assault suffered by three journalists this Saturday, June 14, in the province of Bocas del Toro while covering clashes between residents and National Police crowd control officers.

The National Journalism Council (CNP), the Forum of Journalists for Freedom of Expression and Information, the Panamanian Broadcasting Association and the Chiriquí Journalists Association joined together to reject “the aggression suffered by journalists” Pedro Batista ( Telemetro Reporta ), Horacio Trottman ( Sertv ) and Luis Alberto Jiménez ( TVN Noticias ).

The journalists were threatened with spears and robbed of their work equipment while covering the “Omega” operation, a police operation aimed at achieving free movement in Bocas del Toro, a province with roadblocks at more than 20 locations.

According to the unions’ joint statement, these actions not only constitute a violation of press freedom, but also represent a serious attack on the right of every society to be informed.

The unions expressed particular alarm at the fact that the aggressors are the same people who have historically denounced the lack of media coverage of their demands.

“The contradiction is evident and painful: you cannot demand objective information and coverage while silencing those whose job it is to inform,” the statement emphasizes.

The unions demand an end to violence as a form of protest and the prevalence of peaceful methods for building a just society.

They also asked security agencies to contribute to maintaining peace and public order, respecting and protecting journalists who carry out their work in difficult situations.