Academic says no harm in showing SAS troops

Email
Print

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:28p.m.

The Times of London says the attack started when a bomb went off in the ballroom

The Times of London says the attack started when a bomb went off in the ballroom

By Laura Frykberg

A journalism professor says media outlets which identify SAS soldiers aren't putting them in more danger.

Today the New Zealand Herald published an image of New Zealand troops following a Taliban hotel siege in Kabul.

The photographs of our troops show some bloodstained from battle.

3 News has agreed to Defence Force requests to conceal their identities, but the New Zealand Herald made a different decision, according to AUT Professor Martin Hirst, the right one.

“I don't think publishing their picture in the New Zealand Herald really puts them in any more danger. They're in a war zone. They've been involved in a fire-fight and if you look at that picture in the Herald this morning you can see that that soldier,” he says.

But 3 News head of news and current affairs Mark Jennings says it's not up to media to make decisions about the safety of New Zealand troops.

“I've spoken to former SAS soldiers who say there are really sound reasons why they shouldn't be identified, so I am going to go with what I say, [as] opposed to an academic who I don't think, not to my knowledge anyway, has been to the front-line,” he says.

New Zealand's SAS soldiers were in the thick of fight for the Kabul hotel, on the ground and from a Black Hawk helicopter. But our government is dodging the bullet.

The Times of London says the attack started when a bomb went off in the ballroom, followed by a nine-man suicide squad entering the hotel firing machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.

Hirst says that's where the real danger lies, not having troops images published in the newspaper.

3 News tried several times to contact the New Zealand Herald to ask why it made the editorial decision to publish the photo. We never received a call back. There are currently 35 SAS troops in Afghanistan and the Government says it's committed to keeping them there till March next year.

3 News

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

05 Jul 2011 09:41p.m.

Nutz wrote:

If our newspapers get photos from foreign journalists of NZ SAS soldiers then I agree they should play the game and help conceal them from general perusal. I would have figured that our SAS would be wise enough now though to realise the media are all over any major event in Kabul and that they should be more proactive in concealing their own identities. Only one of the four SAS guys in the photo has concealed his features with a mask which I thought all SAS guys would carry. Surely there would have been a lesson to be learnt from when Willy Apiata was captured on camera uncovered. Even if our media comply, there is no such restriction on international journalists.

05 Jul 2011 08:01p.m.

ROBERT wrote:

Good on you Paul i agree having a similar background to you. Words fail me what the professor stated. I would have to question his so called expertise in matters of national security. We know why in a like situation, our AOS wear face masks, and thats in our little peaceful country. The reality is, terrorism is worldwide. Godbless NZ.

05 Jul 2011 12:21p.m.

Sam wrote:

I'm a schlub... Mr Mateparae is the designate. Oh well whatever we'll probably still be in Dustbowlistan in a month anyway so what's the difference

05 Jul 2011 01:37a.m.

Paul wrote:

I guess its easy for some pencil pushing egghead to say their identities don't need to be protected. He's not the one that has to worry about adversaries being able to piece together information gathered from open sources to build a picture of who the opposition is. Of course, the likelihood of a bad guy recognizing a special ops soldier from a photo in the paper is very slim in practical terms. That doesn't mean we have to make it any easier for them. It would be nice to see the media actually backing up our troops for a change, rather than constantly bagging them, questioning their mission and having our supposedly learned academia spouting off when they have never worn a uniform and most likely wouldn't last five minutes if they put one on. I'm sick and tired of our soldiers safety being compromised in the name of freedom of the press. I don't care if you support their involvement in Afghanistan or not; they are deployed in our name by the democratically elected Government of this country. They have the right to be able to go about their duties without worrying their faces will be plastered for all the world to see, and in my book that outweighs the right of some journalist to have an exciting headline. There used to be a gentleman's agreement with the media about this type of disclosure. Clearly thats gone right out the window, therefore stronger measures are required. I would like to se legislation similar to Australia, where SF soldiers identities are protected by law. However, like most things Australian, it will no doubt take us a few years to catch up.

04 Jul 2011 09:07p.m.

Jolene wrote:

Sound reasons mean theyd rather not be identified for war crimes charges in the future if the $hit hits the fan and folk were to wake up...

04 Jul 2011 10:17a.m.

Sam wrote:

We need to bring the boys home. It's becoming clear that the U.S wants permanent bases in that country so our troops are and will be held in there (nb: against our collective will) to serve as permanent bait for a regional escalation. In my opinion that is an unacceptable situation and has already been objected to by a majority of New Zealanders. Accordingly, as a patriotic citizen I hereby relieve Governor General Jerry Mateparae of command and order all NZ Special Air Service units back to Waiouru for debriefing.

02 Jul 2011 11:07a.m.

Caroline wrote:

I live in the land of acedemia, spoke with a colleague of mine and we disagree with comments made by Mr Hirst.

Mr Hirst sits in the safety tower of acedemia - its security provided by the men and women who are in HARMS way to protect and defend. NZ Hearld acted irresponsible by publishing the photos of the SAS army- not only once, but twice - a third strike should be an OUT.

02 Jul 2011 06:51a.m.

Paul wrote:

The professor should stick to being that. He doesnt know the first thing about being a soldier and the risks are very real. Hiding identity is about safety of soldiers and thier families. As an ex soldier and Policeman I know first hand the importance of this. The day we compromise our operational special forces will be a sad day indeed. Stick to your day job professor.

01 Jul 2011 08:47a.m.

Mike wrote:

A journalism professor commenting on this subject and potential harm to our soldiers and their families is a bit like a rabbit being in charge of the lettuce patch. There will only be one outcome!!

01 Jul 2011 01:24a.m.

Max wrote:

Of course that Academic isn't in harms way, in this case do we really need to know who exactly who they are? it will entertain us for how many seconds?.