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Media attacks will lead to less coverage of unrest
Commenting on the attack by some protesters on e.tv cameraman Linge Ndabambi on Tuesday, 15 February 2011, while covering the unrest in Ermelo, the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) stated it is shocked and perturbed by the attack and is particularly concerned that this is not an isolated incident but points to a growing tendency by some people to vent their frustrations on the media.
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The attack, in which Ndabambi was injured and a vehicle and broadcast equipment extensively damaged, follows a recent attack on journalists on two Mail & Guardian journalists in Ledig, North West, last year. Such attacks have also become a common occurrence during protests in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.
The forum urges the organisers of such protests to put an end to such attacks and to take steps to ensure the safety of journalists. Attacking the messenger in this way does nobody any good. Endangering journalists and their equipment this way can only result in the media shunning such areas, making it impossible to tell stories and to inform the public. The forum commends protesters who came to the aid of Ndamambi and e.tv reporter, Jody Jacobs.
For more:
- Bizcommunity special section: special focus on South African media freedom
- Bizcommunity special section: special focus on African media freedom
- Bizcommunity Twitterfall: #ZAmediafreedom
- Twitter Search: ZAmediafreedom
- Press Council of South Africa: Help make journalism in South Africa better
- Press Council of South Africa: Public hearings information to be found in There are no degrees of free speech
- Right2Know: www.right2know.org.za, @r2kcampaign, #right2know and Facebook page
- MediaMattersZA: @MediaMattersZA and page [a Media Monitoring Africa initiative]
- Keep South Africa's Media Free: @safreemedia, #safreemedia and Facebook group
- Free African Media: www.freeafricanmedia.com, @AfricanMedia, #freeafricanmedia and Facebook page [a Daily Maverick initiative]
- SANEF: Media Freedom
- Avaaz.org petition: South Africa: democracy at risk
- Freedomhouse.org: Freedom in the world
- Google News Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal
- Google Blog Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal
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