Hammerl's killing: SA govt's naiveté, rise of mediaphobia in Africa

Despite the SA government claiming innocence and shifting the blame solely on the Libyan government, many reiterate that Pretoria has been naive, indecisive and negligent throughout the whole saga from day one.

Gaddafi, feared and revered by many African heads of state, has a 'special relationship' with the ruling ANC, dating back from the apartheid era.

"Could have done more"

"It seems the SA government could have done more to apply pressure, especially given the country's 'special relationship' with Libya. Did they apply enough pressure in the early days? I don't think so," Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) director William Bird told Bizcommunity.com this week.

"As pressure groups we need to be active from the day a journalist goes missing, and we need to demand action. I think we have to learn to apply huge pressure and utilise every possible diplomatic channel," he said.

"It is imperative that our government come out clearly and unambiguously about the unacceptability of such practices, and that they state this repeatedly both through the department of foreign affairs, as well as our presidency."

The Professional Journalists' Association (ProJourn) has also slammed the SA government for mishandling the Hammerl's case. ProJourn general secretary Samantha Perry said: "It did not do nearly enough to try and find out where Hammerl was and what had happened to him, despite President Jacob Zuma having met in Libya with Muammar Gaddafi after Hammerl went missing.

"Increasing lack of respect for the media"

"We fear this lack of action... reflects the government's increasing lack of respect for the media, and the subordination of our once-vaunted human rights culture to the crude 'realpolitik' of the state's strategic interests."

Hammerl's killing also raises the issue of a clear and present danger facing freelance journalists who go fishing for information out there, totally uncovered by organisations and left to fend for themselves.

Projourn's Perry said: "It needs to be emphasised that freelancers like Hammerl and Brabo [from Spain] do not have the support of large news organisations when venturing into conflict zones, often at their own expense.

"They put their lives on the line to bring us the truth from volatile areas for uncertain reward."

As mediaphobia rises, especially in the face of the spillover of the Tunisian Jasmine Revolution, Bizcommunity has learned that more and more African journalists are fleeing the continent, looking for a tolerable media environment.

"Take greater care of our journalists"

"We need to take greater care of our journalists and ensure that they receive adequate support for post traumatic stress. It also highlights the bigger imperative to strive for peace, and at the same time demand media freedom," Bird said.

Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have urged the Libyan government to release Hammerl's body and start investigations surrounding his killing, AP reported over the weekend.

A delegation of the South African National Editor's Forum (SANEF), which met with the minister of international relations and cooperation on Friday morning last week, also called on the SA government to do all in its power to find Hammerl's body, to ensure that Hammerl has a decent burial and that his family is given enough support.

For more:

• Bizcommunity Search: Anton Hammerl
  
• Facebook: Free Anton Hammerl
  
• Google News Search: Anton Hammerl
  
• Twitter Search: hammerl OR antonhammerl OR "Anton Hammerl" OR RIPAntonHammerl OR bringAntonHammerlhome