What makes South Africa such a great democracy: NATIONAL PRESS CLUB CONDEMNS ATTACK ON PHOTOGRAPHER The hospitalisation of former President Nelson Mandela has once again put the spotlight on the conduct of the media in how they cover the story. This came after the unprovoked attack on a Pretoria News photographer, Phil Magakoe, by a security guard during Winnie Madikizela Mandela’s visit to her former husband on Monday. Each time Madiba is hospitalised, there is media frenzy both locally and internationally and consequently an obvious scramble for newsworthy information. Magakoe was part of the entourage trying to get a picture of Madikizela Mandela. “He did his job and soon Madikizela was out of sight. It was at this point that the guard started swearing at journalists and threatened them. Magakoe was slapped in the face and his camera was kicked to the ground, causing thousands of rands in damages to the lens and body,” said the Chairperson of the National Press Club, Jos Charle. “An attack on one journalist doing his job is one too many. We condemn this in all possible ways, and we urge the police to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. I am glad that Magakoe has laid charges of common assault and malicious damage to property. This type of behaviour does not belong in this country, especially at a time when our country is deeply praying for our ailing former president. “Journos are only serving the world who wants to know about the well-being of an icon. Let’s all refrain from heavy-handed tactics while everybody just wants to do a job under difficult circumstances,” he said. such a wonderful democracy:
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:09:48 +0000
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