National Press Club wants answers on reported abuse of reporters in Missouri

The National Press Club expressed deep concern Aug. 13 about reports that at least two reporters covering unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, were manhandled and detained by police officers there.

According to multiple accounts, Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post and Ryan Reilly of the Huffington Post were roughed up by officers, detained and later released. The officers did not provide their names to the journalists, the reports said.

"In the United States, it is not acceptable to prevent reporters from doing their jobs, let alone to knock them around and throw them in jail and then release them as if nothing happened," said NPC President Myron Belkind. "If that is what happened in Ferguson tonight, or anywhere else, those responsible must be held accountable. No one in law enforcement should draw the conclusion that this kind of behavior has no consequences."