I was just reading on cbc.ca that over 100 journalists died on the job in 2008. Part of me thinks it's so unnecessary to have journalists on the front lines with soldiers. I mean, is it helpful to our society to know every little detail about Iraq, and do people listen anyway?
My opinion is that we, collectively, have become completely desensitized to what is broadcast, that it is ineffective to have photographers and videographers right on the front lines.
For one, it tends to eliminate effective writing, which has the ability to be equally as powerful. And furthermore, is it worth it to lose anymore people than necessary in wars that are not necessary to begin with?
Having said all this, there's a part of me who would love to be on the front lines talking to soldiers, learning their stories, etc. Would it be worth my life? Not likely.
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Hey Katelin,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this, having read Robert Fisk's great many frontline war stories from "The Great War for Civilisation."
He talks a lot about how bad journalism or no journalism allows the military to manipulate facts and public opinion, basically turning war into an even bigger propaganda exercise.
While it's obvious that not all journalism needs to be high-risk, I think those people perform a valuable service in reporting their experiences directly to citizens. I think we are worse off as a human race for having less good reporting in recent years.
Keep up the blog - over and out,
Amy
In my journalism class at the High school we had to do a research project on the Dangers of Journalism. It is scary, and I agree that it's not worth a life.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in my researching, I got to read accounts of the people who have been there, and either have come back or stayed. A lot of them feel very privileged and they're happy that they can inform the world of what's going on. It's sad, but man what dedication, eh. Hopefully change will come and there'll be no need for any of it.
Either way. I'm glad you're staying in Canada :)
-Abby
But to write effectively, wouldn't you also have to be on the front lines to truly describe what you are seeing?
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm like you...but sadly we're damned if we do, and damned if we don't.
If we could have peace in the world, sadly, this conversation wouldn't be happening.
:) Loved this post!
Here's a link to Fisk writing on that very subject:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/07-4