Sanef concerned by incidents of members of the public attacking journalists

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) said that attacks on journalists by members of the public were becoming a worrying trend.

On Saturday, eNCA journalist Monique Mortlock was assaulted while attempting to interview an anti-mask protest organizer at Fish Hoek Beach.

The man refused to speak to her and ripped her mask off, while another journalist, Athi Mtongana from Newzroom Afrika, was also attacked by a demonstrator who threw her phone to the ground when she attempted to conduct an interview.

Protesters took to the beach to call for an end to lockdown restrictions when the assault happened.

Sanef’s Hopewell Radebe said that the forum was concerned that news reporters are being attacked by the same individuals who wanted their stories told.

“Usually we get to be in trouble with law enforcement agencies who would be stopping journalists from doing their work. It’s a worrying trend to be finding members of the public trying to force their will.”

He said that journalists had always respected the rights of those who declined to be interviewed and that forcefully removing someone’s mask infringed on their rights.

Radebe added that demonstrators should have stepped in and supported the journalist.

“It becomes troubling when we as society are not finding it our duty to uphold the Constitution and embrace it, and therefore protect one another.”

The demonstrator was arrested and face charges relating to assault and crimen injuria this week.

-EWN

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