Reporter slapped during Shenzhen guesthouse dispute interview
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
A reporter from Jiangxi Radio and Television's Jin Video was assaulted during an on-site reporting trip in Shenzhen over a dispute involving Sherbaba guesthouse franchise deposits and a trademark infringement lawsuit. Shenzhen police have intervened, while the All-China Journalists Association said it is following the case and urged strict punishment for the attacker.
Key Points
- Reporter Wu Zhongmin (吳忠敏) went to Xingfu Jiayuan in Shenzhen on Thursday, September 10, to verify facts on the ground and seek an interview with the company principal.
- The reporting assignment concerned disputes over franchise deposits linked to the “Sherbaba” guesthouse business and related trademark infringement litigation.
- A man inside the premises identified himself as a tenant, tried to drive the reporter away, and then slapped him after the reporter stated he was conducting a lawful interview.
- After Wu called police, authorities handled the incident; the man was identified as Chen Mouxian (陳某先), father of the company's actual controller, surnamed Chen.
- The assault forced the interview to stop, and the reporter later suffered persistent tinnitus, according to statements cited by Chinese media and the journalists' association.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case centres on whether journalists can safely carry out lawful reporting on commercial disputes across the border without intimidation. The next steps by Shenzhen police and the public stance of the All-China Journalists Association will be closely watched as indicators of how assaults on reporters are handled.