Unfortunately, this kind of situation happens all the time, be it
disguised as a birder or a church leader, there is a need to report
certain atrocities that happen in these third world countries. I
remember a few years ago a BBC corespondent had to disguise as a Red
Cross helper and the news he bought from undercover helped the world
understand certain cruel acts that were being conducted within the
country.
Its upsetting, i know that these things happen but i would totally
agree with the BBC's actions. It happened in Idi Amin's reign too,
valuable information led to his down-fall, they uncovered mass graves.
I don't think this is the place though to talk about this topic, If
you feel strong about this as you obviously do, then you did the right
thing by writing to the BBC.
Lets not let this thread get out of hand, please :)
Martyn
*************************************
Martyn Stewart
http://www.naturesound.org
Redmond. WA
425-898-0462
Make every garden a wildlife habitat
**************************************
Listen to the Birds and the Bees at
http://naturesound.libsyn.org/
------------------------------------------------
View a Nature Recordists Blog!
http://naturesound.org/Nature_Blog/Nature_Blog.html
On Jan 21, 2008, at 4:39 PM, Kevin Colver wrote:
> 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
>
>
"While a picture is worth a thousand words, a
sound is worth a thousand pictures." R. Murray Schafer via Bernie Krause
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naturerecordists/
<*> Your email settings:
Digest Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naturerecordists/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|