Joakim Lamotte, a well-known free-lance journalist in Sweden, has done a lot of work in recent years broadcasting from so-called "vulnerable areas" of Swedish cities-that is Muslim immigrant no-go zones, where even police dare not tread.
For that, Lamotte has received many death threats, and now he has announced that he is leaving journalism due to increased threats made to his family. This has coincided with the recent riots in Swedish cities in response to Rasmus Paludan's Koran-burning demonstrations.
The below article from Göteborgs-Posten is translated by Fousesquawk.
https://www.gp.se/kultur/kultur/joakim-lamotte-slutar-som-journalist-1.74914721
Caption: After almost 20 years, debater and reporter Joakim Lamotte is ending his work as a journalist. Photo- Johan Nillson/TT
Joakim Lamotte quits as journalist
Culture: After almost 20 years, reporter Joakim Lamotte is quitting work as a journalist. In a live broadcast online, he says he made the decision after repeated threats against him and his family.
"In some way, they have found a system to terrorize my family," he says.
After nearly 20, reporter Joakim Lamotte is quitting working as a journalist. In a live broadcast on Instagram, he tells the background for his decision.
"In some way, they have found a system to terrorize my family. They threaten my wife at her job, they threaten my wife's colleagues, and call my parents on the phone," he reports in the broadcast.
He continues:
"I have filed hundreds of reports of unlawful threats, and not one of them has led to charges. The police have closed every case I have sent to them, even though I was able to show which persons made the threat. My children are becoming older and older, and they don't need to grow up with this, so today, I have made the decision to end my work as a journalist."
Says of threats: "They have escalated"
The threat picture isn't new, but it has stepped up lately, says Lamotte.
"As you know, for several years, I have had a threat against me and my family. It has gone up and down. Now, after the Koran burnings, since I have reported on what is happening in Sweden, it has during (this) period again escalated."
He ended his broadcast by thanking those who showed appreciation for his work.
"I am doing this live broadcast largely to thank all of you who have supported me through the years in my job. Without you, it would have been impossible to do this. I also hope that somewhere, we have made a difference for Sweden."
Outspoken reporter
Joakim Lamotte has made himself known as an outspoken reporter, considered by many as straightforward and unafraid. In the last few years, his viewer-sponsored live reports, primarily from various vulnerable neighborhoods, have been both praised and harshly criticized.
But his work has also been demanding, and in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Lamotte says that he has now chosen to leave journalism.
"Due to threats against my family, I must unfortunately hereby report that I am ending my work in journalism. I have worked as a journalist almost 20 years, but now it is over. This evening at 7 pm, I will hold a live press conference on Instagram to explain what is happening. It will be the last live broadcast I will ever do. Other than that, I will not do any interviews. Thanks for all the support over the years!"
Joakim Lamotte's Facebook post has gotten a massive number of comments in a short time, and many of Lamotte's followers express regret that he is leaving journalism.
"So incredibly tragic. You are really needed, but I completely understand why you are stepping down after all the pressure, lies, and hate."
"So sad, wish you and the family all the best."
"A loss for society that you are stopping. But the family comes first, so you have my full support in your decision."
Last year, Joakim Lamotte was number 68 on GP's (Gothenburg Post) power list, and he was also named as the most powerful Swede on Facebook by the Media Academy. The same year, Lamotte won a famous Thai boxing match against YouTube figure Victor de Almeida.
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