London, Joburg candlelight vigils for Anton Hammerl

Hammerl's wife Penny Sukhraj, his mother Freda Hammerl and brother Alex Hammerl will light candles for him at a vigil in London. Simultaneously in Johannesburg, his father Ludwig Hammerl will join Anton's friends, former colleagues and journalists based in SA to do the same.

It's been 29 days since anyone has had contact with Hammerl, who was captured near Brega on Tuesday 5 April. He has not been heard from since, despite a range of informal assurances that he will be allowed to phone his family. Three other journalists held on the same day have made calls home. The detention of the four has ignited a global call for their release.

It is believed that 17 journalists are being held in Libya.

Tuesday's vigils in London and in Johannesburg have been organised by the Hammerl family and the Free Photographer Anton Hammerl Campaign to highlight the plight of Hammerl, Manu Brabu (Manuel Valera), Jim Foley, Clare Gillis and all other journalists detained around the world.

"These are dark days for us"

Sukhraj said on behalf of the Hammerl family, "As Anton's family, these are dark days for us. The anguish of still not knowing where he is, and whether he is well, grows with each day that passes with no word from him. Your presence at the vigils means you're committed with us, to keeping strong the call for his release - and for this we're deeply grateful. Please don't give up on him - we can't. We won't."

Candles will be lit for each day Hammerl has been missing and will serve as a reminder that the pressure for his release will not stop until he is home with his family.

The Johannesburg vigil will be held 6.30pm- 7.30pm at the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ), 9 Jubilee Road, Parktown, Johannesburg. Speakers will include internationally renowned photographer Dr Peter Magubane, former Saturday Star editor Paula Fray and Sunday Times columnist and award-winning author Fred Khumalo. Prof Farid Esack will provide a spiritual message.

The London vigil will be held at "The Journalists' Church" St Brides Church, Fleet Street, in London (EC4Y 8AU), 5.30pm -6.30pm.

Anton's family requests those attending either of the two vigils to bring a candle.

"What kind of public broadcaster does the Eastern Cape need?"

The Eastern Cape World Press Freedom Day panel debate is hosted by School of Journalism and Media Studies, Rhodes University, in association with SoS -Support Public Broadcasting Coalition and Media Monitoring Africa.

Agenda

6pm-6.10pm: Welcome and objectives of public meeting
6.10pm-6.20pm: Input from third-year students, School of Journalism on Grahamstown-based focus groups on SABC
6.20pm - 7.10pm: Panel debate (seven minutes per speaker)

• Azanian People's Organisation - Nontobeko Yawa
  
• African National Congress - participation to be confirmed
  
• Makana Independent New Deal - Jock McConnachie
  
• Democratic Alliance - Michael Whisson
  
• Congress of the People - speaker to be confirmed
  
• New Unity Movement - MP Giyose
  
• Unemployed People's Movement - Ayanda Kota

7.10-7.20: Responses - SOS: Support Public Broadcasting Coalition - Kate Skinner
7.20pm-7.30pm Responses - Media Monitoring Africa - William Bird
7.30pm - 8pm Open debate from panel and floor