For many journalists who have never been to South Africa, it may seem like an exotic, dangerous, unusual and intimidating destination. Here are some tips to make your World Cup coverage as pleasant as possible.

Sports federations and press groups sign a voluntary code protecting the right of journalists to report on sports news

South African state prosecutors have found evidence that a man - who allegedly appeared on a national TV news programme saying that he would "rob and kill" tourists during the 2010 World Cup - may be schizophrenic.

Katia Rubia, a Sao Paulo University professor in sport psycology and Olympic studies, was recently threatened with criminal prosecusion by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) and ordered to destroy all copies of her newly published book, 'Sport, Education and Olympic Values'.

An American freelance journalist was detained at Vancouver’s airport for several hours and then rejected entrance into Canada allegedly due to his involvement in anti-Games organisations.

FIFA has moved to quell anxiety in the South African media over press freedom by making written promises to a group of media owners in a letter received by Play the Game.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has cited media in England and Germany as being behind a wave of negative publicity ahead of this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

FIFA have met with the South Africa media pressure group concerned over the implications of the press accreditation rules for this summer’s world cup but are refusing to disclose details of the meeting on January 21.