News Photographers Association of Canada Concerned About Arrest of Hamilton Freelance Journalist

VANCOUVER, May 18, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC) is gravely concerned about the arrest of Hamilton area freelance photojournalist David Ritchie on Tuesday night at the scene of a crime, echoing yesterday's statement from the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE).

On May 16, 2017 at approximately 7 PM local time, freelance photojournalist David Ritchie and Global News photojournalist Jeremy Cohn were arrested by Hamilton Police Services at Evans Rd. and Highway 5, where a 10-year-old girl died after being struck by a car. Ritchie is facing a charge for obstructing police.

Ritchie is a freelance photojournalist who is well known throughout the Hamilton area. He has stated that he was respecting the standard crime scene protocol for media by waiting behind the perimeter that had been put up by law enforcement officials.

NPAC is deeply concerned that this type of police aggression is an infringement of the freedom of the press and believes that a free and independent press that holds public authorities accountable is the foundation for rights and freedoms of all Canadians.

SOURCE News Photographers Association of Canada

Laura Ballance, 604-771-5176, [email protected]