Pistorius pictures a mistake - Sanef
2013-02-16 19:03
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Johannesburg - Publishing photos of Oscar Pistorius during
his court appearance was a mistake, the SA National Editors Forum (Sanef) said
on Saturday.
Sanef chairperson Nic Dawes said there was no intention to
contravene a court order prohibiting the taking of photographs during the
athlete's first court appearance on Friday.
"There seemed to have been confusion regarding the
court ruling on the covering of the case," Dawes said.
Crying
This comes after some newspapers published photos of
Pistorius crying in court on their front pages on Saturday.
Magistrate Desmond Nair had ruled against live broadcasts of
the matter on Friday.
Sound recordings of the arguments and judgment were allowed
but photographs could only be taken before or after court proceedings.
Images of Pistorius covering his face with his hands as he
cried, were taken during proceedings, which was a contravention of Friday's
ruling.
Dawes said the publications had acknowledged the error and
had withdrawn the pictures from circulation.
Sanef did not support the publication of the pictures as it
contravened Nair's ruling, he said.
"We are committed to an environment that permits free
and fair reporting... and we also abide by the law," he said.
The organisation was meeting on Saturday to discuss the
matter.
Lawyer won't comment
Pistorius's lawyer Kenny Oldwage refused on Saturday to
comment on reports that he would take action against newspapers that published
the pictures. Earlier, Eyewitness News reported that Oldwage said he would
address the matter at Pistorius's bail application in the Pretoria Magistrate's
Court on Tuesday.
"I do not want to talk about this case or discuss it
further anymore... do not call my number anymore," Oldwage told Sapa when
contacted for comment.
Pistorius was arrested on Thursday after his girlfriend
Reeva Steenkamp, a model, law graduate, and participant in the Tropika Island
of Treasure television show, was shot dead in his home.
He was charged with murder at the Pretoria Magistrate's
Court on Friday.
Pistorius remained in custody at the Brooklyn police
station.
He was expected to make a formal bail application on
Tuesday.
Visit News24's Oscar Pistorius Special Report.
- SAPA