Foreign journalists banned from South African areas

The South African police have banned foreign journalists from the country's troubled black townships, Monitor correspondent Gary Thatcher reports. A police statement issued June 16 accused "certain pressmen, especially those attached to foreign news media and TV networks," of "openly in inciting black youths in Soweto and other parts of the country to stone-throwing and riotous behavior."

Police indicate that in the future they will "only allow a select group of pressmen under police escort into troubled areas." The Foreign Correspondents' Association of South Africa has asked the police of more information about the incitement allegation. It has noted that foreign journalists have themselves been hit both by rocks from black youths and tear gas from the police.

The police directorate of public relations called for two meetings with journalists June 17.