Stark said: “They requested that no photographs be taken. When I refused the request, speaking in English, one farmer called me a ‘liberal bitch’ and I was physically assaulted and my camera was grabbed.”
“They threatened to smash it while pushing me around and continued to physically assault me. Another farmer stepped in and told them to back off. I was told to leave the area immediately with continued shouting that I should remove my liberal self and leave for my own safety.”
The protest occurred a day after writer and columnist, Ismail Lagardien, was seriously injured covering abalone protests in Kleinmond in Western Cape.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sanef said it was “seriously troubled” by the growing trend of communities attacking reporters seeking to vent their anger and frustration against government authorities.
Sanef condemns attack on journalist at farmers’ protest
Image: LEFEDI RADEBE
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has condemned the alleged assault of a journalist when protesting farmers stormed the Senekal magistrate's court on Tuesday.
Citizen journalist Marizka Coetzer and photographer Tracy-Lee Stark allegedly were assaulted and their equipment damaged when a crowd of about 1,000 farmers protested against the murder of 22-year-old Brendin Horner.
Stark said: “They requested that no photographs be taken. When I refused the request, speaking in English, one farmer called me a ‘liberal bitch’ and I was physically assaulted and my camera was grabbed.”
“They threatened to smash it while pushing me around and continued to physically assault me. Another farmer stepped in and told them to back off. I was told to leave the area immediately with continued shouting that I should remove my liberal self and leave for my own safety.”
The protest occurred a day after writer and columnist, Ismail Lagardien, was seriously injured covering abalone protests in Kleinmond in Western Cape.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sanef said it was “seriously troubled” by the growing trend of communities attacking reporters seeking to vent their anger and frustration against government authorities.
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“Journalists deserve the right to a safe working environment like all workers in SA. When going out in the field to tell community stories they should not be subjected to such hazardous and life-threatening working conditions.
“We call on AfriForum, the Unite Against Farm Murders movement and various political parties, including the DA, that participated in the gathering before the court proceedings, to protect journalists and promote the safety of journalists. They need to help combat the impunity of those who attack the media.”
Sanef also called on law-enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate these incidents.
“It is only through the decisive and firm actions of state organs that criminals and members of society will stop attacking journalists.” — DDR
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