Journalist groups have condemned the red shirts members' harassment of journalists covering the Bersih 5 convoy in Kuala Selangor yesterday.

Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm) expressed regret over the provocation and harassment towards media practitioners, by individuals believed to be from the Umno-linked red shirts group.

"It is believed youth leaders from the main political party was seen at the scene of the incident," said Geramm in a statement last night.

"Media practitioners are only on duty to report on events that take place, and should not be involved in any sort of political dispute," said the group.

Swift action urged

The National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ) meanwhile, said that it would be lodging a police report against the anti-Bersih group.

In a statement, the NUJ urged police to take swift action against the group's leader.

"NUJ hopes that the police will arrest the individuals (involved) and bring them to court.

"The media should also be accorded justice and fair protection from such threats that could threaten them from reporting the truth," said the NUJ.

The NUJ also described the anti-Bersih group as being ignorant to duties of the media and was overly emotional to the point of acting irrationally.

Separately, the Institute of Journalists Malaysia also echoed calls for police to investigate the anti-Bersih group.

The IoJM in a statement pointed out that freedom of speech does not include violent behaviour.

"Journalists must be allowed to do their work without encountering threats, or acts of violence or intimidation.

"Anti-Bersih groups or any other party should be brave enough to face media scrutiny instead of using violence to suppress coverage," it said.

Roadshow disrupted

Yesterday anti-Bersih red shirts supporters disrupted a Bersih roadshow in Kuala Selangor and manhandled journalists and photographers at the scene.

The red shirts members forced the media personnel to delete their photographs of the incident, and incidences of physical force and verbal abuse were reported.

Umno Youth exco leader Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, and Tanjong Karang Umno Youth deputy chief Shahrizal Shaari were reportedly at the location of the incidents at various points in time.

Red shirts leader Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos who was abroad at the time, upon learning of the reports apologised if such incidents had indeed taken place.