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.
We are on Fish Hoek Beach to cover the #WeAreMore protest against lockdown. But one of the organisers just assaulted me, even with officers around us. He refuses to speak to me because I’m wearing a mask. @eNCA pic.twitter.com/BYx991Qmd0
— Monique Mortlock (@MoniqueMortlock) February 6, 2021
Protesters at Fish Hoek beach approached us & ask if we’re media. Told us that anyone wearing a mask supports paedophiles.
Old lady proceeds to slap-off the phone from my hand.
They’re here to protest against the lockdown. Like they did with the open beaches protest last week. pic.twitter.com/tNEu6T43xv
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) February 6, 2021
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.
#WeAreMoreProtest One protester, Yaseen Johnson, says for him this protest is a call for the opening of the economy and the protection of our constitutional rights. An on-looker (wearing a mask) tells me: “We don’t all feel this way.” @eNCA pic.twitter.com/1jkTQvJaew
— Monique Mortlock (@MoniqueMortlock) February 6, 2021
-EWN
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