Media arrested to stifle horrific footage. 28jan02 MEDIA covering the Woomera detention centre protests have been moved 700m from the compound. Australian Protective Service officers demanded all members of the media leave their position outside the centre's gates, about 500m from the actual compound fences, on Saturday night. All media representatives refused to leave -- but were led away after an hour's stand-off with APS officers and police. During the incident, ABC Radio journalist Natalie Larkins was arrested and charged with failing to leave Commonwealth land. She was released on bail on the condition she immediately leave Woomera and is scheduled to appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates' Court on March 4. ABC news and current affairs director Max Uechtritz said the charges against Ms Larkins would be vigorously defended. Woomera lawyer Paul Boylan said the detainees were upset at the arrest because they saw the media as the way for the Australian people to tell the Government "this is not fair". Department of Immigration officials, centre management and Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock have denied banning the media from the area. Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance spokeswoman Dana Wortley said the union was appalled at the action. The conservative Govt admits setting up torture camps to discourage refugees.
