Teen Reporters Taken Away For Their Safety: Police

Police have said that they detained two teens with press cards at the Harbour City mall on Sunday to protect them, and they were released to their guardians later.

This comes after riot police took away a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl who told officers they were student reporters during a dispersal operation at the mall where many protesters had gathered for an anti-government demonstration.

In a statement issued overnight, police said that because the duo are minors, they decided to take them to the police station for their own safety and they were not arrested. They contacted their guardians who collected them from the police station.

The 12-year-old was wearing a reflective vest and livestreaming events at Harbour City when police officers surrounded him. Then he was taken away by the officers after he presented his press card and ID card.

His mum said her son was released without a warning, and officers said if he committed another offence she would be held liable.

Later Student Depth Media, an online news outlet originally formed by eight students earlier this year, said the two students worked for them.

In a statement posted on their Facebook page, they dismissed apparent accusation by officers at the scene that the boy was being used as "illegal child labour", citing the importance of press freedom.

They also said police behaviour had interfered with the student reporters’ work.