This is a response to On Being an American Journalist, an essay by Steve Bell.
The army and police force of any country is always in danger. They are risking their lives to protect their country. This is a very honorable job in my belief. Though, I also believe that journalists who go out in the battle field to garner information of what is going on during battles are also in danger. They also have a very meaningful and honorable job. Though, I don't agree on some ideas regarding journalism.
Journalists provided people who are worried and concerned about wars with news on what is happening in other countries. As I read this essay, I was enlightened. I did not know that journalists had to go out in battle to retrieve all their stories. Prior to this reading, I thought journalists got their information and stories by just asking around from soldiers and then twist the truth.
Loren Jenkins was asked if journalists should report the presence of an army's location. Jenkins answered that she would report all the truth if she finds it and that she does not represent the government, but instead represent history. I find this a very hard thing to do. This seems like a job of a spy and this could cost the war for either side. By the end of this essay, I still think journalism is meaningful.
Sam, I think I agree with you how it is hard for a journalist to have a clear consensus of what should or should not be written. Although that is true, I think journalists should not report intel concerning an ally or enemy locations which is what spies are for but instead report information from an outsider's point of view. An example of that would be if American or enemy soldiers decided to execute massacre innocent bystanders in a war, that should be reported so then the world should know about it but shouldn't use labels on those murders because that's for the citizens of the world to decide.
ReplyDeleteI agree with yi.
ReplyDelete