OFFICIALS in Qatar have apologised after a journalist’s live TV report was interrupted amid threats to break his camera.
Danish journalist Ramus Tantholdt was delivering his report for broadcaster TV2 with his camera crew next to a roundabout in Doha when footage shows Qatari officials driving a golf buggy approach.
One of them tries to grab the camera and puts his hand over the lens, while two others also exit the buggy.
The station said on its website: “The team was bluntly told that if they didn’t stop filming, their cameras would be destroyed.
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“This is despite the fact that TV2’s team has acquired the correct accreditations and reported from a public place.”
This comes amid mounting controversy surrounding the world cup. Concerns about the country’s treatment of gay people living in the country, as well as LGBTQ tourists, have been expressed for a long time.
An ambassador for the World Cup described homosexuality as “damage in the mind”.
The journalist said during the live report that they were “live on Danish television” and added: “Mister, you invited the whole world to come here, why can’t we film? It’s a public place.”
Another clip shows the reporter displaying his accreditation to film there which the officials refused to accept, saying he still needed permission.
We now got an apology from Qatar International Media Office and from Qatar Supreme Commitee.
— Rasmus Tantholdt TV2 (@RasmusTantholdt) November 15, 2022
This is what happened when we were broadcasting live for @tv2nyhederne from a roundabout today in Doha. But will it happen to other media as well? #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 pic.twitter.com/NSJj50kLql
One of the officials grabbed the camera again, with Tantholdt approaching him and appearing to say something to the reporter, who said: “You want to break the camera? Ok you can break the camera. So you are threatening us by smashing the camera?”
The reporter has since confirmed on his social media that they had received an apology for the incident.
He said: “We now got an apology from Qatar International Media Office and from Qatar Supreme Committee.
READ MORE: Qatar still the elephant in the room at the World Cup - James Cairney
“This is what happened when we were broadcasting live for TV2 from a roundabout in Doha. But will it happen to other media as well.”
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker re-tweeted the clip with the caption: "Bodes well."
Tantholdt replied: "Indeed... camera is still safe though."
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