Journalism in Conflict Zones
January 24, 2008
Chrissy
Journalists have particularly difficult professions and dangerous professions; they are constantly searching for a new and interesting story to unfold to the media. While searching for these stories, some journalists are offered to go overseas to other countries and become foreign correspondents to report the news. This can be the chance of a lifetime to report in a different country for a journalist, yet while reporting in war areas their life can also encounter dangerous situations. These risky conflict zones often present the journalists and their crew with life threatening decisions and choices to either get the story or make sure their lives are preserved. An article by Lisa Schlein showed the danger these brave journalists take up in order to give the important stories to the media networks to show to the American public. One could even argue that these journalists are acting as American heroes, keeping the United States informed with foreign news to keep us informed on public affairs. So why is it that the journalists who are encountering dangerous situations on an everyday basis still lack the protection they need to keep them safe?
This is an issue that is brought up in the film A Mighty Heart starring Angelina Jolie. The movie is based on a true story about Danny Pearl who was kidnapped in Pakistan in 2002. The movie brought to life the ongoing struggle for journalists who are trying to report in foreign countries peacefully, but are being held hostage due to reporting in conflict zones.
In 2007, 110 journalists were killed while reporting in different countries. More effort should be taking by governments to reduce the number of journalists taken captive by instituting a world wide security to protect foreign citizens like tourists along with journalists. I definitely believe that the safety of these brave individuals who are putting their life and careers on the line to potentially protect the United States citizens should be valued and protected world wide.
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