FRENCH NEWS TEAM RELEASED IN SRI LANKA FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS EVE ARRESTS
December 26th 2007 23:33
Two French journalists employed by the French TV news channel France 24 who were arrested on the evening of December 24 in the Sri Lankan southern district of Galle while travelling with a Tamil family, have been released.
The two journalists are reporter New Delhi-based Capucine Henry and cameraman Constantin Simon. Henry has been told she can stay in Sri Lanka to do a report on a Bizet opera performance in Colombo.
The two were arrested while doing a report on the life of a Tamil family.
Reporters Without Borders said, "We appeal to the government in Colombo to show more flexibility with foreign journalists and to let them work freely in Sri Lanka, including when they are doing reports on members of the Tamil population."
- From MediaBlab
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Comment by Damo
Better to go as a tourist and pretend to be a family friend.
There is no law against that.
Comment by JJ McRoach
Watching the Media
Many journalism organisations also believe this to be the case.
Plus it many countries it is considered unlawful to list a false occupation on a visa application.
In Australia it is considered madatory for journalists to idetify themselves as such when interviewing anybody.
After all, the person's comments are going to end up with public presence, either in a newsapper, a website, on radio, on TV etc.
But I guess different rules apply when overseas.
Comment by Damo
Jorno's who identify themselves as such get the protected version of news. The official line and such. You are no talking about Queensbury Rules there.
It wasn't so long ago that they were shooting their own jorno's. Also the nation is still officially under emergency rule.
However I am not sure why these French jorno's went to Sri Lanka and what their agenda was. So it impossible to judge the situation.
If in doubt use a freelancer who has a second job. Primary occupation is the key.
Comment by JJ McRoach
Watching the Media
The first time I was deported from an Asian country I listed my occupation as marine biologist on the very loose basis that I had just written a book about yabbies.
But I got too close to the locals, the secret police became suspicious, arrested me and seemed dubious about my occupation. They then got a guy from the local uni who quickly established I knew next to nothing about marine biology and the main secret police guy said, we believe you are not a marine biologist, we believe you are a writer.
Luckily they put me on the first plane out of the city rather than in jail.
But a great US writer/journo Studs Turkel would pass himself off as a factory worker in the 1950s-60s and report on the appalling conditions etc
But if you are working for the big corporate machines you have to play by the rules - and travel business class and stay in 5 star accom.
If you are a freelancer you play by your own rules, bum a ride if you can and stay in budget accom.
Comment by Damo
Of course i am no journo just some clown who know Sri Lanka well.
Interesting story.