Chinese-language paper denied access by sheriff's deputy after Asiana crash

The Chinese-language Sing Tao Daily reports that one of its reporters, while trying to report on the passengers injured in the Asiana crash, was thrown out of San Francisco General Hospital by a deputy sheriff. However, the deputy allowed an ABC photographer standing next to the reporter to remain in the hospital, Sing Tao reports.

The incident occurred on July 8, three days after the crash.

Sing Tao said that its reporter was told by Deputy Eric Simms that the ABC photographer could stay because hospital has a policy of allowing access based on the media outlet’s audience size. The deputy escorted the Sing Tao reporter out of the hospital.

Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, in an interview after the incident, told Sing Tao that removing the reporter was “wrong” and shouldn’t have happened. He said he would follow up on the issue.