Veby Mega Indah Shooting: Press Safety During Hong Kong Protests
During the height of the 2019–20 pro-democratic protests in Hong Kong, a distressing incident occurred involving the safety of international journalists. Veby Mega Indah, an associate editor for the news outlet Suara, was severely injured while performing her duties, sparking a global conversation about the treatment of the press by law enforcement during civil unrest.
The Incident at Wan Chai
On 29 September 2019, a "global anti-totalitarianism protest" took place on Hong Kong Island. While covering the events in the Wan Chai district, Veby Mega Indah was positioned on the O'Brien Road footbridge. During the operation, she was shot in the face by a projectile fired by officers of the Hong Kong Police Force.
Video evidence from the scene indicated that Indah was clearly identifiable as a member of the media. She was wearing high-visibility clothing and a helmet adorned with "press" decals. Furthermore, the footage captured other journalists actively alerting police officers to their presence and requesting that they not fire.
Medical Impact and Immediate Aftermath
The impact of the projectile caused Indah to fall to the ground. She received immediate care from first aid workers at the scene before being transported to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. The injury resulted in the permanent loss of sight in her right eye. Indah's legal representative stated his belief that the projectile used by the police was a rubber bullet—a type of less-lethal projectile designed to disperse crowds but capable of causing severe injury if striking the head or face.
Institutional Condemnation
The shooting drew sharp criticism from various journalistic organizations. The Hong Kong Journalists Association expressed deep concern, noting that Indah was clearly marked as press and was not in the immediate vicinity of the protesters when she was hit.
- Suara released a statement strongly condemning the act, arguing that Indah's attire made it impossible for her to be mistaken for a protester.
- The Alliance of Independent Journalists, an Indonesian-based organization, called for the Hong Kong Police to ensure the officer responsible was held accountable.
Legal Challenges and Police Response
Seeking justice and systemic change, Indah attempted to pursue a private prosecution against the officer involved. Her goal was to prompt a reform of police conduct to prevent similar occurrences. However, the legal process stalled because the identity of the shooter was not disclosed to her.
In January 2020, the Hong Kong Police Force acknowledged they knew the officer's identity but refused to release the name, citing an "active investigation." This lack of transparency led some social media users to share the purported identity of the officer in March 2020. This resulted in the arrest of Cheng Lai-king, a pro-democratic district councillor, on charges of "sedition" for sharing the post.
Analysis of Press Targeting
Commentators have cited the shooting of Veby Mega Indah as a primary example of a broader trend of increasing attacks on journalists by the Hong Kong police during the 2019–20 protests. Indah herself has echoed these concerns, suggesting that the frequency of such incidents indicates that journalists were being specifically targeted.
Key Facts
- Victim: Veby Mega Indah, Associate Editor of Suara.
- Date of Incident: 29 September 2019.
- Location: O'Brien Road footbridge, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
- Injury: Permanent blindness in the right eye.
- Identification: Victim wore high-visibility gear and a helmet with "press" decals.
- Legal Status: Private prosecution failed due to the police refusing to name the officer.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Global anti-totalitarianism protest |
| Projectile Type | Believed to be a rubber bullet |
| Medical Facility | Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital |
| Police Justification | Identity withheld due to "active investigation" |
| Related Arrest | Cheng Lai-king (charged with sedition) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Veby Mega Indah?
Veby Mega Indah is an associate editor for Suara who was covering the 2019–20 pro-democratic protests in Hong Kong.
What happened to Indah during the protest?
While covering a protest in Wan Chai on 29 September 2019, she was shot in the face by a projectile fired by the Hong Kong Police Force, leading to the permanent loss of sight in her right eye.
Was Indah identified as a journalist at the time?
Yes. She was wearing high-visibility clothing and a helmet with "press" decals, and other journalists on site had alerted the police to their presence.
Why was Indah unable to prosecute the officer?
She could not proceed with a private prosecution because the Hong Kong Police Force refused to divulge the identity of the officer, stating the matter was under active investigation.
What was the reaction of the journalistic community?
The Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Alliance of Independent Journalists condemned the shooting, arguing that Indah was clearly marked as press and should not have been targeted.