AddThis SmartLayers

Former regional press man arrested at Olympics

A former regional press reporter has been making worldwide headlines after being arrested while covering a ‘Free Tibet’ protest at the Beijing Olympic Stadium.

John Ray worked in the Exeter office of the Northcliffe daily the Western Morning News before going on to a career in regional and national television.

Covering the Olympics for ITN, John was hauled from a park less than a mile from the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic stadium shortly after foreign protesters unfurled a pro-Tibet banner.

He was then taken to a nearby restaurant where the police threw his shoes in the corner and sat on his arms. He was later released.

John’s cameraman Ben England was also reportedly manhandled and stopped from filming the protest.

Speaking after his release, John said: “I wonder how this fits in with their solemn promise of free and unrestricted reporting… it was a wrestling match.”

The story has been covered worldwide with a video of the arrest even appearing on YouTube.

The International Olympic Committee has condemned the apparent “manhandling” of the reporter, saying the media should be allowed to report freely from the Olympics.