PressEthic

Journalists do their jobs for various reasons: fame, the rush of writing a big story, changing the world, etc. No matter what reason you have for reporting the news, it is a challenge each day to deal with the enormous pressures that are intrinsic to the job.

Most of the pressures we think about include dealing with editors, making deadlines, and writing an interesting story. These are not minor concerns, but the recent reports out of Iraq make an everyday American journalist’s worries seem downright inconsequential.

The NYT ran two articles this past week; one describes the recent murder of an Iraqi reporter, and the other article describes the detention – and shootings – of Iraqi journalists by American forces.

Some journalists have been killed because insurgents believed that they supported the American effort, and some journalists have been detained – or shot – because they were believed to be terrorists by the American military. Talk about a high-pressure situation.

Let’s just pretend that you are an Iraqi journalist. You are not a “terrorist” and you only want to do your job, which is reporting the truth about the situation in Iraq. A Western media outlet hired you and so now you are in trouble with the insurgents. Plus, you have some sources who are close to the insurgents and they give you tips on possible attacks. Now the American military thinks you are a terrorist because you filmed an entire attack by insurgents. Either way, you are screwed.

Should a journalist take the risk? It’s a tough question. How important is the information you are getting? Is it worth your life? I am sure that these are questions that many journalists ask themselves everyday. It is a testimony to their courage and bravery that they continue to risk their lives in search of the truth.