This is my contribution to the debate open on the communication Initiative’s website re the role of journalists especially those reporting on world crises.Some contributors believe that a journalist is there to offer solutions and I felt this was misunderstanding the nature of their role.
‘Journalists report and cover events- providing accurate and balanced information so that their readers, viewers or listeners can decide for themselves about their reaction. unless clearly stated, a journalist is not there to ‘change the world and offer solutions’ but by highlighting a situation or crisis- for example the war in Syria, they can keep the public debate going.
I don’t agree with the comment that their job is ‘ to move beyond being passive observers of their own affairs, and engage actively in finding solutions to global journalism crises.’
The crises or restrictions on reporting and freedom of expression come from the existing political authorities in respective countries. All the journalist can do is to cotinue to report and show the reality of situations.
Opinion pieces are a different category where the journalist, in my perception, is raising his or her head above the parapet and is encouraging others to shoot back their thoughts-and again to stimulate debate. The role of ‘brave’ journalism is to do this in the face of authoritarianism and to fight for freedom of expression- whatever the personal cost.
I don’t believe it is a question of being passive or active – it’s a question of degree, of situation and personal choice. There is another distinction to add to this and that is freelance or independent journalists can comment especially via the Web, those employed by media owners are more bound to the organisation’s editorial policy.
Finally there are the ‘citizen’ journalists and commentators who use their smart phones and cameras and computers to provide evidence of events and play an enormously important role now in the public’s understanding of current affairs.’
This is my contribution to the debate open on the communication Initiative’s website re the role of journalists especially those reporting on world crises.Some contributors believe that a journalist is there to offer solutions and I felt this was misunderstanding the nature of their role.
‘Journalists report and cover events- providing accurate and balanced information so that their readers, viewers or listeners can decide for themselves about their reaction. unless clearly stated, a journalist is not there to ‘change the world and offer solutions’ but by highlighting a situation or crisis- for example the war in Syria, they can keep the public debate going.
I don’t agree with the comment that their job is ‘ to move beyond being passive observers of their own affairs, and engage actively in finding solutions to global journalism crises.’
The crises or restrictions on reporting and freedom of expression come from the existing political authorities in respective countries. All the journalist can do is to cotinue to report and show the reality of situations.
Opinion pieces are a different category where the journalist, in my perception, is raising his or her head above the parapet and is encouraging others to shoot back their thoughts-and again to stimulate debate. The role of ‘brave’ journalism is to do this in the face of authoritarianism and to fight for freedom of expression- whatever the personal cost.
I don’t believe it is a question of being passive or active – it’s a question of degree, of situation and personal choice. There is another distinction to add to this and that is freelance or independent journalists can comment especially via the Web, those employed by media owners are more bound to the organisation’s editorial policy.
Finally there are the ‘citizen’ journalists and commentators who use their smart phones and cameras and computers to provide evidence of events and play an enormously important role now in the public’s understanding of current affairs.’