Satanism: Maas 'humiliated'

2007-11-18 19:29

Lizel Steenkamp

Johannesburg - "I've been fired for a non-fireable offence," says columnist Deon Maas.

He was given the boot by Rapport after a column in which he said Satanists also should have a right to exercise their religion.

He said Rapport editor Tim du Plessis had publicly humiliated him and that his professional integrity as a columnist had been damaged.

"The column I wrote for Rapport was approved beforehand. I can't understand why I should be the one to be fired. Perhaps it should never have been published."

He said he felt victimised by a small vocal minority and "the people who should have protected me against this".

"Anyone who is fired feels humiliated.

"If it's not justified, it's even worse. And all of it in public? I feel like a dartboard."

'Venomous response'

Maas said: "I didn't write about Satanism. I just used it as an example to propagate the idea of tolerating diverse opinions.

"I reckoned it was a good starting point to support my philosophy if I could sell this concept to Rapport's readers.

Maas said he was astounded by the venomous response of some Christians.

"I write from the heart. And, contrary to what some people may think, I'm not trying to provoke anyone."

He said he was hoping to stimulate debate and to get readers thinking. He didn't expect such a response, but may have been a bit naïve.

"I still think it's a small, but well-orchestrated, campaign. This lot are still struggling to adapt to the new South Africa and I don't think you'll find many democrats or free-thinkers among them.

"Some of their family members may well have already emigrated. I don't think they reflect the average Rapport reader, Christian or South African."

He said Du Plessis had made a mistake in firing him for commercial reasons.

"While I can't approve of what Tim's done, I do understand it.

"One of the reasons why they're losing young readers is that newspapers don't have balls. I believe I'm encouraging younger readers to return (to newspapers).

"Those that pressured the newspaper are not its future readers. My column appealed to the kind of readers that any newspaper wants to have."

Maas asked for the following statement from him to be published:

"It's a sad day when press freedom has to step aside for commercial interests, but it is heartbreaking when Media24's newspaper editors are ordered not to do any follow-ups on my being fired.

"It makes you realise that the same dark powers that controlled the Afrikaans media in the old South Africa, are still calling the shots behind the scenes.

"And these are the same people who have the audacity to castigate the SABC about its editorial independence."

Editors deny being pressured

Volksblad editor Jonathan Crowther denied he had been given any orders, as alleged by Maas. He said Volksblad had carried prominent coverage of the debacle.

Beeld editor Peet Kruger also said Maas's charges were devoid of truth. He had not received any such orders and Beeld had carried a follow-up report.

Die Burger editor Henry Jeffreys said Maas's allegations weren't true.

He had received no such orders. Die Burger had published a cartoon of the Maas row on Saturday.

- Rapport