Reply #6: Very odd ripples from the trial:Reporter's impartiality 'was compromised'

[Judi Lynn]

Reporter's impartiality 'was compromised'

September 30 2005 at 03:13AM

News reporter Alameen Templeton has been suspended with immediate effect by The Star pending an inquiry into his decision to testify on behalf of the state in the so-called lion murder trial in Phalaborwa.

His testimony on Thursday was led in sentencing deliberations during the trial of Mark Scott-Crossley and Simon Mathebula for the murder of Nelson Chisale, who had been thrown into a lion's enclosure and killed. Templeton was immediately pulled off the case because his impartiality had been compromised by his testimony.

Templeton, who earlier this month resigned from his post at The Star and is serving his notice period, failed to consult or inform his news editor or editor about his intention to testify.

Moegsien Williams, the editor of The Star, stated: "I am extremely annoyed with the prosecuting authorities who believe they can willy-nilly call on reporters to testify in criminal matters without due regard for the consequences. As no subpoena was issued, it is clear the prosecutor in this matter, Ivy Thenga, did not apply her mind properly. After Templeton's testimony, did she expect him to return to the press bench and report on the case as if nothing had happened?

'Journalists must be seen to be impartial'
"Journalists must be seen to be impartial, objective and independent and to be able to report freely and without hindrance on matters of public interest. The prosecuting authority in the Phalaborwa case, by calling Templeton to the witness stand, compromised The Star's ability to fulfil this role as outlined in section 16 of the country's constitution."
(snip/...)

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20050930062405677C254255