Japanese Reporter "Physically Aggressive" Towards NZ Police Head

[Mulboyne]

Stuff.co.nz: Christchurch quake - Japanese reporter kicked out
A Japanese reporter was kicked out of the Christchurch city centre today after getting ''phyically aggressive'' towards a police commander. The TV reporters was escorted from the area by police around the art gallery today after his accreditation was removed. Last night, the reporter "got physically aggressive" towards Christchurch police commander Superintendent Dave Cliff and had to be restrained, a police spokesman said. Concerns have been raised about media behaviour in Christchurch. Last week, a Japanese reporter was arrested after trying to gain access to the Christchurch Hospital. Concerns were also raised during the two minute silence where some photographers continued to take pictures, their camera clicking incessantly as New Zealanders took a moment to remember the fallen. A Christchurch City Council spokesman said a number of journalists have also been trying to get around the cordon to gain access to restricted areas of the city. There are about 500 accredited media currently working in Christchurch. Mayor Bob Parker urged members of the media to show restraint and respect for the officials.

Spotted by Ichigo (aka Sakura 59) in NZ

[Yokohammer]

Ah yes. Visitors to Japan must respect Japanese culture and society and play by the rules (even if the rules are made up on the spot), whereas no such restrictions apply to Japanese who are visiting other countries.

Not in any way meant as a blanket condemnation, and not in any way suggesting that westerners visiting Japan aren't arrogant and insensitive at times, it's just that every time something like this makes the international news Japan loses a little more respect, and such incidents seem to be on the rise.

Tut-tut.

[matsuki]

If this happened here with a FG reporter, the story would be all over Japan and they would be reporting from Narita as the guy is deported.

[Coligny]

Meanwhile... 20 years ago...

Life was still good back then...

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

Lock him up for a month with no access to Japanese speakers just to be sure.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Concerns were also raised during the two minute silence where some photographers continued to take pictures, their camera clicking incessantly as New Zealanders took a moment to remember the fallen.

What probably happened is when the Kiwis bowed their heads in silent rememberance the Japanese reporters thought someone was making an apology and instinct got the better of them.

[AlbertSiegel]

Concerns were also raised during the two minute silence where some photographers continued to take pictures, their camera clicking incessantly as New Zealanders took a moment to remember the fallen.

This is an interesting thought for me. Here in the United States, it's not seen as unacceptable to do this. You may have a few who do not like a photographer working during such a moment, but the majority are fine with it as long as it's done in a respectful way. I've photographed a few high profile funerals and moments of silence and have never once heard anything about it. Here is one example of mine at the funeral for Sean Taylor who played for the Washington Redskins in the NFL.



Out of the dozens of journalists there, I was actually the only one at the right location at the right time to get a shot of them loading Taylor into the car after the service. This image was never published, so you my friends are the first to see it other than one editor at the paper.


_

[Fullback]

It's a good shot.

I'm guessing that your didn't relentlessly fire off 50 shots in auto mode like a sporting event, did you?

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[AlbertSiegel]

It's a good shot.

I'm guessing that your didn't relentlessly fire off 50 shots in auto mode like a sporting event, did you?

Thank you! No Sir, I do not believe in spray and pray photography. I never use burst mode on my camera, I actually keep off and use single shot mode. I think of spray and pray as cheating since you really only point and hope for a good photo. I try to create or capture a good still with judgment and skill. I may not get the best shots, but at least I know I did the best I could with my abilities and not the camera's.

[tone]

nice shot albert - and interesting thread

have japanese filmmakers ever done a gritty, somewhat critical look at the japanese media? could be such an interesting setting for a film

takeshi maybe

Kiwis are generally the nicest people, I really wonder how the scene played out and what this fried reporter actually did

[bolt_krank]

Been watching some of it here (Aus) and the media's handling of the whole incident has been pretty poor. They think that can photograph anyone they want.

The ironic thing is there there's quite a few scenes of people coming out of buildings all bloodied telling the cameras to f-off. Yet they play these scenes again and again on TV...