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Is journalism worth your life?


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Iraqi television anchor shot dead in Mosul.

Think it's an isolated incident? The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists says at least 129 journalists and 50 media support workers have been killed since the U.S. invasion in Iraq in 2003. That doesn't include the latest death.

According to figures from Iraq's Journalism Freedom Observatory (which might be the more credible source in this case, because they're closer to the action), at least 237 media workers, including 22 foreigners, have been killed since the 2003 US led-invasion of Iraq.

Interesting for all journalists based in a stable country to think about. Is getting the news to the people worth your life? Because that's what a lot of Iraqi, and other Middle Eastern, journalists risk every day.

Would we do the same if things were different in America?
ashabpatel

39 responses // Is journalism worth your life?

  • If we can't control them shoot them? If this was the case in the US, I'd been shot 25 years ago and I know by who too. Wow, how a concept!
    CharlieG
  • watch this comment being used here, here, here, here, here, and here
    Anyone who spreads the truth is a target nowadays
    debbieclarke
    1 response to this
  • http://current.com/items/76406822_gagged_in_pakistan
    Check out this pod about diminishing press freedom in Pakistan, and the risks journalists take there to spread the truth. In fact, our VC2 producer took a huge risk in the name of spreading truth in making this pod for Current!
    abbym0308
  • http://current.com/items/89028735_killed_reporters_memo...
    U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for an end to the "culture of impunity" surrounding the killings of journalists.
    Check out the story and thread here.
    abbym0308
  • The truth is relative, just speak what you know.
    thehermit
  • anyone believing the news is truth has another thing coming to them
    diode
    2 responses to this
  • Yes, yes we would and I think we forget that all too often in our complacent society, that we have fought and would fight for freedom at any cost. To paraphrase, Mark Twain, Fighting for your own freedom is just, fighting for the freedom of those other than yourself is enough to make justice worthy of your actions.' There is no freedom without knowledge.
    ocanada
  • You probably have a point diode...but thank your lucky stars that you can even say that...on a website like this.
    Neghie
    1 response to this
  • Difference of opinion that doesn't match the majority tend to be put to death physically or by print.

    Not many people can handle such differences correctly.

    This isn't a shocker.
    J_Jammer
  • Yes, freedom of speech is worth our lives. The people need to know.
    Im_Fly
  • I feel bad for those who die for what they fight for, but it comes with the territory I'm afraid. I just wish it didn't work that way.
    VSiskos
  • Those journalists who will never be able to cover another story or see their families again thought so when they went to a war zone. Journalism at its best can save lives, so I'd answer with an emphatic yes.

    The question for American journalists, keeping in mind the post-9/11 coverage and the lead-up to the war in Iraq, is whether journalism is worth your career? In the corporate media, most decided it wasn't. Though there were notable exceptions, the general trend in the American media (maybe directed by management and the corporate owners down to the employed reporters to a large extent, but still) was to put the company ahead of the truth. If more journalists (and politicians) had been willing to sacrifice their careers, maybe no one would have had to sacrifice their lives to cover a war that never should have happened.

    Now, paparazzi risking being run over by a drunk Brittany or a coked-up Lindsay to get a photo of their bare crotches totally makes sense. Those are the real heroes!
    Brendan_M
  • Americans have grown so used to privilege and freedom of speech that we take for granted all our rights. People in countries with oppressive authoritative rule who fight for freedom to speak the truth are so inspiring but also a reality check for all of us who probably couldn't do the same after so many years of ease and liberty to do almost anything we please.
    AngstyEmoPrincess
    1 response to this
  • watch the documentary piece from Al Jazeera networks called: Shooting the messenger.
    Its about this subject and reflects the crude reality of governments trying to shut information down and killing journalists to achieve their goals.

    watch it online here:

    http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9875AF20-07BB-4F...
    databaze
  • I find it depressing that in other countries, we have people who risk their lives to get the TRUTH out, yet here our media is controlled by corporations.

    No one needs to shoot a gun for their words to be silenced.
    PoisonTheMonkey
    1 response to this
  • Nothing is worth my life. I value my self survival more than anything else.
    Dmitri_Molotov
  • I'd rather die spreading truth than live quietly in a complete lie.
    lifestudentno83
    1 response to this
  • If you lose your life by spreading truthful news than you might save thousands.
    ipodrulz
    1 response to this
  • I find it sad that journalists in other countries have had to die for their craft. They have given the ultimate gift. I'd say they haven't died in vain because they set an example for truth to be always be the light to which we stand for. Freedom of speech and word is the one idea that I would also give my life for. Otherwise we would be all living lives of lies. It is this very current news that we blogg on that we are all searching for truth out there and not relying on the commmericial news to sway us.
    cibalin
  • besides iraq, the second most are where journalist have been killed on mass is philippines...

    like cia trained death squads in south america...the US government has also trained paramilitary forces in the philippines to target journalist who have been critical of the arroyo administration...

    also, there have been more than 900 students, activist, leaders, journalist killed since 2001 when the administration took over...extrajudicial killing is a consequence of keeping the truth out...
    flipriza
  • Giving your life to report on something that someone would kill you over is worth your life.
    People need to know the truth
    kai5640
  • The truth begets violence from the deceivers. Watch your back. I know.
    WorldPeaceTV
  • http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=84669
    here is another way journalists are shut up...some graphic images here but very informative about a Reuters journalist being targeted by Israeli tanks and murdered. Israel has yet to supply an answer for over two months.
    WorldPeaceTV
  • I admire those who have, and do, risk their lives to reveal the truth.
    CFriedman
  • could these people have been shot because they were a**holes who happen to be "journalists?" just wondering.

    if bill o'reilly got shot, i'd get sore for sure.
    pressrecord
  • Still, even if they were just 'being a**holes, you think thats a punishment worthy of death?
    WorldPeaceTV
    1 response to this
  • Most of us are pursuing meaning in our lives, a reason to arise each and every day. But every generation or so, the gatekeepers of "truth" sing us sweet lullabies to dull our senses until we fall asleep to be caught unawares. Some remain impervious by cherishing tradition and historical values to teach their children, raising the alarm for whoever will listen, yet no one does until the next generation rises to storm the gates to restore the balance.

    The key to maintaining truth, is never allowing it to be forgotten in the first place. But somehow, through "shock and awe", America effectively surrendered its civil and constitutional liberties to the most deceptive administration in U.S. history through the passing of the Patriot Act setting the stage for a fully controlled corporate nation. Should this come to complete fruition, the "truth" will be mainstream propaganda for daily consumption no matter how many martyrs may die.
    Lerxst
  • Just ask Mumia Abu-Jamal that same question.
    Midnight_DevilX
  • the first question or next question should always be....
    There is information....there is misinformation....and then there is truth. Which one is worth the risk or most likely to actually threaten your life?
    ablindeye
  • The ultimate price to pay from freedom of information, if these people were not willing to give their life, the world would be a very bad place!
    sholao

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