Statements

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Released Friday April 9, 2010

The Foreign Correspondents' Association wishes to express its outrage at the treatment of members of the foreign media during Thursday's ANCYL press conference at Luthuli House.

Mr Malema's personal attack on a BBC correspondent Jonah Fischer for asking tough questions was both abusive and unbecoming of a politician in any democratic society.

The foreign media, including the BBC, played a major role in exposing the atrocities and inequalities of Apartheid.

We pride ourselves in exposing hypocrisy, corruption and the abuse of power, no matter who governs.

That the media, including foreign broadcasters, were invited to this press conference at the headquarters of the ruling party and then subjected to an attack is a worrying sign for democracy and the role of the free press in this country.

Foreign Correspondents' Association Board.

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The FCA met with the National Press Club and the South African Editors' Forum (SANEF) to discuss the issue, and has requested a meeting with President Jacob Zuma.