New York, June 12, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about reports that three journalists were injured covering protests against the World Cup in Sao Paulo today. CNN producer Barbara Arvanitidis sought treatment at a hospital for an arm injury and CNN correspondent Shasta Darlington and Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão cameraman Douglas Barbieri suffered minor wounds from canisters of stun grenades thrown by authorities to disperse protesters, according to news reports and statements by CNN journalists on Twitter.
“This is a worrying start to the World Cup,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “After a year of protests and dozens of journalists being attacked and detained, President Dilma Rousseff promised to take action to ensure the safety of reporters covering the tournament. Her government must now follow through on those commitments.”
This week, CPJ released the Portuguese version of its Journalist Security Guide, which includes safety practices for journalists. CPJ met with Rousseff on May 6 to discuss its report on the climate for press freedom in Brazil.