Today the BBC made no bones about using reporters disguised as
birders to get into Zimbabwe, illegally gaining access to areas off
limits to reporters. This behavior clearly raises the suspicion of
some government leaders against valid birders and other nature
enthusiasts. The BBC has endangered us all with their illegal behavior.
I have sent them the following letter:
"I was shocked and angered that you would have one of your reporters
masquerade as a birder to enter the country of Zimbabwe. Then, worst
of all, you published this openly on the radio. This clearly puts
all valid birders, nature photographers and recorders, and other
valid tourists at a new risk of suspicion and harm. As a nature
recordist and birder myself, I already fall under unwarranted
suspicion when I use my binoculars and recording equipment in out-of-
the-way places. Now you have validated the suspicions that should
have remained unfounded.
"You clearly owe a major apology to all the nature enthusiasts and
scientists you have now endangered. You also should make a public
statement that such behavior will never again be tolerated by your
reporters.
As you, as a nature recordists group, have now been affected, I
wanted to let you know.
Thanks,
Kevin Colver
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