Channel 10's The Project apologises after using a rapper's picture to illustrate South Sudanese gang violence in Melbourne

A South Sudanese born hip hop artist said his image was 'destroyed' after The Project 'inadvertently' used his image in a segment detailing an outbreak of gang violence in Melbourne.^[1]

Channel Ten's light news program The Project used an image of Melbourne rap artist Ror Akot, also known as Ror Da Poet, in a video package on gang violence on Monday after the predominately South Sudanese gang Apex were involved in a riot in Federation Square on Saturday night.

The photo, which was ripped from a documentary on the Sudanese-born musician, was made black and white and superimposed onto a South Sudanese flag, with the only attempt to hide his identity being a black bar over his eyes. 

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Channel Ten's The Project has apologised to South Sudanese hip hop artist Ror Akot after his image(bottom) was 'inadvertently' used in a segment on gang violence

The segment discussed a violent gang brawl that took place in Melbourne's Federation Square on Saturday involving the predominantly Sudanese gang Apex (pictured)

The 19-year-old, who has worked with The Project before, found out after he started to receive phone calls from confused friends and family members who wanted to know if he was involved in the violent gang brawl.

Mr Akot, who escaped South Sudan when he was only nine years old, said he was 'disappointed and disgusted' that his image used to push an agenda that he felt was critical of the African community.

'This is what I get for being a young Blackman working hard trying to succeed,' he wrote on Facebook.

Mr Akot, who was once named Young Citizen of the Year for his contribution to mentoring local youths, said using his photograph 'destroyed' his image and tarnished his good name.

The photo was made black and white and superimposed onto a South Sudanese flag, with the only attempt to hide his identity being a black bar over his eyes

The 19-year-old, who has worked with The Project before, found out after he started to receive phone calls from confused friends and family members who wanted to know if he was involved in the violent gang brawl

Mr Akot, who escaped South Sudan when he was only nine years old, said he was 'disappointed and disgusted' that his image used to push an agenda that he felt was critical of the African community (pictured with Molly Meldrum)

Mr Akot wrote a detailed statement about the use of his image and posted it to Facebook on Tuesday

Natalie Cunningham, whose documentary the image was taken from, said it was irresponsible of The Project's producers to chose to take an image of an innocent young man when there was so much footage of Saturday's carnage available.

'There was plenty of live footage from the weekend's violence at your disposal and it's completely unacceptable that you resorted to using this photo, which left the person in question feeling victimised for absolutely no reason other than the fact that you decided to present your story in a given way.' 

Ms Cunningham said the news program contacted her around a year ago and asked to use some of the footage from her short documentary on Ror's life to which she happily obliged. 

The image was taken from a short documentary on the Melbourne rapper's life 

Mr Akot uses his music to explore both the 'hardships and triumphs' he faced throughout his life

Mr Akot, 19, fled his native South Sudan when he was only nine years old and relocated to Melbourne 

She had no idea it would be used at a later date to cover a topic that was completely unrelated, adding that the image should have been credited to photographer Justin Leijon.  

The documentary maker also noted there was another young man's image that was used by the Project in a similar manner but did not reveal his identity as she did not know him personally. 

She told Crikey ^[2]that she was extremely disappointed that the 'exceptional' young man's image was used in such a negative light. 

'It does a great disservice to the South Sudanese community (and wider African community) and it is very discouraging and disappointing to see such lack of consideration given to the use of his photo.' 

Mr Akot and Ms Cunningham posted their statements about the controversial segment to Facebook on Tuesday, prompting a response from The Project on their nightly program. 

Hamish McDonald made a brief apology to Mr Akot on Tuesday night, stating that the program had used the image 'inadvertently'

Hamish McDonald made a brief apology to Mr Akot on Tuesday night, stating that the program had used the image accidentally.   

'In a story last night on gang violence, we inadvertently used a graphically altered and treated image of Melbourne rapper Ror Da Poet.' 

'We'd like to make it clear that Ror is in no way connected to gang violence and and we apologise for any distress the use of this image may have caused.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Akot for comment.  

References

1. ^{^} Melbourne. (www.bing.com)
2. ^{^} Crikey (www.crikey.com.au)