Journalists In the War Zone
Today, in the newspaper I read that another journalist overseas had been killed.
Only praise for the individual was mentioned by his editor, colleagues and those who knew him.
The photographer was gravely injured and both were said to be following their passion, to get the news out, to win Pulitzer Prizes and to make a difference in the world, often traveling to some of the most god-awful places on the planet and the most inopportune times.
Let's talk shall we.
You see, when I read that today, I had a flash back of another article I'd read last year, one I'd hoped to write about, even started the article but hadn't finished.
Perhaps because I thought twice about the cold hard reality of the words I was about to speak, after good people had died.
Reuters had an interesting piece on December 20, 2013 titled; "Syria most dangerous country for media in 2013, 126 dead worldwide: INSI.
" After that article, I had written, not even sure if I really felt that non-empathetic or not; Well, many of these journalists are asking for it.
I've seen some pretty belligerent attitudes, and Kamakazi like reporting tactics.
It's a risky job they choose to do, many for personal agendas in places they do not belong, know it, and attempt to force their will anyway.
The media is part of war in the Middle East, the fighters often care more about their propaganda in the media than actually winning the fight - they'll do anything to serve that will - including dying or killing journalist - who'd have thunk it? An online acquaintance and I had a conversation about this, and Bill stated; "Many of these journalists were much more part of the terrorist campaign than independent observers.
They would (and a few still do) enter Syria illegally from Turkey, embed themselves with terrorist gangs, and parrot propaganda straight up.
More and more, such "journalists" are part of the direct war effort and completely legitimate targets by any logical estimation.
That many of them are now falling victim to inter - terrorist fighting is predictable.
There are no good guys among them just as there are no good terrorists, and they deserve no sympathy.
" Right, there are sometimes good guy/gal journalists and photographers in the mix, yes, I know.
And there are people posing as journalists (an old spy trick) and many are propagandizing things, realizing that if they don't report a certain way, their lives are in danger or they don't get the insider information.
Since the media is part of terrorism - the terrorists need the media to embellish and report on their actions, the media is part of the game, part of the war.
It's too bad for the good ones, but they chose to risk all to play - for the rest, sometimes they are part of the problem.
Yes, well stated Bill.
He is correct many of these journalists are not entirely victims at all.
So, since we cannot know who is who - we should not willy nilly be so heartbroken over the statistics.
Feel bad for only the ones you know were good, not for those you are told to feel bad for.
Okay so, that's my comment.
As a writer, I know sometimes you put your neck out there, some of us do at the risk of our own reputations, others their lives, but that's the risk, and it is one of choice.
Please consider all this and think on it.
Only praise for the individual was mentioned by his editor, colleagues and those who knew him.
The photographer was gravely injured and both were said to be following their passion, to get the news out, to win Pulitzer Prizes and to make a difference in the world, often traveling to some of the most god-awful places on the planet and the most inopportune times.
Let's talk shall we.
You see, when I read that today, I had a flash back of another article I'd read last year, one I'd hoped to write about, even started the article but hadn't finished.
Perhaps because I thought twice about the cold hard reality of the words I was about to speak, after good people had died.
Reuters had an interesting piece on December 20, 2013 titled; "Syria most dangerous country for media in 2013, 126 dead worldwide: INSI.
" After that article, I had written, not even sure if I really felt that non-empathetic or not; Well, many of these journalists are asking for it.
I've seen some pretty belligerent attitudes, and Kamakazi like reporting tactics.
It's a risky job they choose to do, many for personal agendas in places they do not belong, know it, and attempt to force their will anyway.
The media is part of war in the Middle East, the fighters often care more about their propaganda in the media than actually winning the fight - they'll do anything to serve that will - including dying or killing journalist - who'd have thunk it? An online acquaintance and I had a conversation about this, and Bill stated; "Many of these journalists were much more part of the terrorist campaign than independent observers.
They would (and a few still do) enter Syria illegally from Turkey, embed themselves with terrorist gangs, and parrot propaganda straight up.
More and more, such "journalists" are part of the direct war effort and completely legitimate targets by any logical estimation.
That many of them are now falling victim to inter - terrorist fighting is predictable.
There are no good guys among them just as there are no good terrorists, and they deserve no sympathy.
" Right, there are sometimes good guy/gal journalists and photographers in the mix, yes, I know.
And there are people posing as journalists (an old spy trick) and many are propagandizing things, realizing that if they don't report a certain way, their lives are in danger or they don't get the insider information.
Since the media is part of terrorism - the terrorists need the media to embellish and report on their actions, the media is part of the game, part of the war.
It's too bad for the good ones, but they chose to risk all to play - for the rest, sometimes they are part of the problem.
Yes, well stated Bill.
He is correct many of these journalists are not entirely victims at all.
So, since we cannot know who is who - we should not willy nilly be so heartbroken over the statistics.
Feel bad for only the ones you know were good, not for those you are told to feel bad for.
Okay so, that's my comment.
As a writer, I know sometimes you put your neck out there, some of us do at the risk of our own reputations, others their lives, but that's the risk, and it is one of choice.
Please consider all this and think on it.
Source...