The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned an attack on journalist Amanda Ferguson amid the protests at the city hall on Saturday.
Police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between anti-Islamic protesters and those taking part in an anti-racist rally at Belfast City Hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.
The NUJ – which represents members of the media – said Ms Ferguson had her phone damaged after a man approached the journalist while she was working.
The journalist herself wrote about the incident for the Sunday Life, saying: “I was called “a traitor” and had my phone slapped out of my hand by one man who was filming me.”
The NUJ’s Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley said: “The National Union of Journalists has strongly condemned the attack on Belfast-based freelance journalist Amanda Ferguson in the city on Saturday 3 August.
“The incident is being investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Journalist Amanda Ferguson
“While covering a far-right demonstration, Amanda noticed a man filming her.
“She approached the person, introduced herself and asked what he was doing. He resounded by calling Amanda ‘a traitor’ and smacked the phone out of her hand, damaging it.
“This sort of behaviour cannot be tolerated. Filming journalists doing their work is intended to intimidate. Amanda is a diligent and committed journalist and it is shocking to see her subjected to this type of attack.
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“Saturday’s hate-fuelled riots were very disturbing, and it was important that it be covered extensively. I hope the PSNI investigation leads to a prosecution.”
The PSNI has been contacted.