Communicating Arts - Main Web SiteForget that old song's "secret agent man" and pick up a camera or pen and enter the glamorous world of the war photographer or reporter. In the latest Reuters report, a man believe to be a Japanese photographer showed up in the hospital dead. He was wearing shorts uncharacteristic of Burmese natives ("Burmese"--my preference) and carrying a small camera.
See? That's what you get when you cross admiration for Henri Cartier-Bresson with the daring-do of James Nachtwey.
More disturbing for taking place apart from "the action": "Somalia's interim administration raided Shabelle media in Mogadishu last week, briefly arresting 18 staff and then spraying the building with gunfire during a second visit."
For me, this is especially awful news as I started this blog by taking some online interest in Somalia and responded in June to the government's closing three broadcasting companies. Accompanied by pressure from the United States, the shutdowns were reversed after about three days of unbelievable silence.
If the government wishes to start off as other than a nominal democracy fronting the development of a fascist regime, it would do well to reexamine its problems with a freely operating press.
It would seem a distinct pattern in the development of power associated with the aegis of a large power, whether China, the United States, or some other, that those obtaining the reins of government on shakey grounds--i.e., by force of arms, and even in a good cause--consolidate their forces and tighten their grasp in ways not trusting of their constituents, whom they may treat as cattle or dispossess as if they were children.
On the part of the powerful, that would seem today's message.
On the part of the press, the grant of privilege and right to publish belies universal interest in doing so responsibly.
It's a bit hard cuffing the guys (and girls) who insert themselves into active war zones and instead of following the action (and sending home pictures of dead bodies and ruined buildings) seek it out and get caught in its crossfire and fury, but one may in a fatherly manner -- listen to me (and go and do what you want).
As regards the attack on Shabelle Media, my impression from the firm's web site reportage has been that it has been too careful in its coverage, which often reports the facts off the police blotter without comment or investigation.
It's easily assumed from a U.S. desk that everyone finds "the Islamists" awful, but where clan relationships and Islamic traditions fairly define the culture there may be much happening beneath the surface of the news that might complicate any judgments about free speech, government repression, and militant intimidation.
Frankly speaking, a) I don't know the whole story and b) I'm not so sure I want to know it.
Somalia has been and apparantly continues to be just the toughest "journo" assignment around.
Iraq may be as deadly, but at least the government there is not the one that comes knocking on the door in the middle of the night (or spraying up the joint in the middle of the day).
1. "Japan photographer said killed in Myanmar protest." Reuters, September 27, 2007.
2. "Press group deplores attack on Somalia media boss." Reuters, September 27, 2007.
3. Oppenheim, James S. "070607-2200: No News Somalia, 3." Oppenheim Arts & Letters, June 7, 2007.
Correspondence and Permissions: James S. Oppenheim
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