South African Press Agency reported that the international news agency, Reuters, has suspended its television operation in Cape Town, after reviewing threatening telephone calls its staff have received in recent months. The agency's Johannesburg office said yesterday, October 19 the threats had raised serious concern about the security of staff. But Reuters, did not describe the nature of the threats or mention who had made them. The agency said the suspension affected only its Cape Town television news office, and it was taking steps to provide video coverage of Cape Town through other means. The decision to suspend television operations was taken by senior managers in London.

FXI in a statement said it was deeply disturbed by the closure and that it was a significant setback for freedom of expression in the Western Cape especially, which was already a very difficult environment for journalists to operate in, given the levels of violence. " Journalists have found themselves between a rock and a hard place in the province, attracting threats if reports fall foul of anonymous individuals, and risking pressure from the authorities to reveal sources or hand over information if it may help in investigations of ongoing violence. These latest events will undoubtedly make journalists' working lives even more difficult, leading to a chilling effect on reportage as journalists may fear being issued with similar threats," said FXI.

Ends