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Former CBS Evening News Managing Editor, Dan Rather
The ongoing demise of responsible journalism raises many troubling questions. Why hasn’t the journalistic establishment covered the immensely important story about its own demise? Why haven’t journalists explained why the Honorable Profession must exist if any of us are to remain free? Why haven’t we told our story? American needs to know if there’s an Anna Politkovskaya, Ed Murrow or Katharine Graham among us today. If not, who will stand up for America?
Robert Butche
Newsroom Magazine
The House Of The Fourth Estate
Risks To Journalists
Being a journalist, one that matters in today’s complex world, comes with many risks. At this very moment, somewhere in the world, there’s a legitimate journalist under threat, subject to attack, or imprisoned for covering and reporting on stories someone does not want the world to know about.
Russian Journalist Anna Politkovskaya -- Shot dead in the elevator of her apartment building on 7 October 2006.
Few news consumers are aware of the immense risks undertaken by journalists who cover those who wield power, assume leadership, or make decisions. There are risks of engagement in journalism — usually in the form of physical threats associated with reporting from a war zone, becoming a decoy reporter in a prison, or covering a hurricane. But every new reporter soon discovers there are also disclosure risks in news gathering — especially when someone important or in power seeks to conceal their actions, views or utterances. When the stakes are high enough, the risk of engagement and disclosure can lead to injury or death.
Who are these brave souls today? Do you know? Are you one of them? Or have you become a slave by way of trading job security for journalistic freedom?
Credible Journalism Isn’t For Sissies
Don’t Miss . . .
The rights afforded journalists by the U.S. constitution are among the post powerful rights granted any profession. But they come with demands and risks, for journalism is a tough profession — not a place for slackers or weaklings. To be credible, to make a difference, to be responsible for the lives and livelihoods of others is demanding. Some journalists are up to the task, but many are not.
What do you stand for? Where do you, have you, or will you draw the line? What price are you willing to pay to assure the freedoms your countrymen largely take for granted? Do you know that your journalistic freedoms were not granted in some board room, nor by a beneficent government, or generous employer. They were bought and paid for in blood. Some of that blood always has been and always will be the blood of journalists. Will you stand up for America if demanded?
Many have stood up for something beyond their own paycheck, or safety, or comfort. Consider the case of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya who wrote about the realities of Chechnya. And revealed the hidden actions of the Putin administration in both newspapers and books.
What do you stand for? Where do you, have you, or will you draw the line? What price are you willing to pay to assure the freedoms your countrymen largely take for granted?
Or Dan Rather’s untidy departure from CBS News and the litigation that has followed. What does this tell us about ourselves? Only when one lifts the veil of political fog are the most salient issues revealed. Had Rather backed off and done what his employer asked, he would have been spared. Rather took the risk, did his job, paid the price. Would you have done so? Do you know anyone in journalism today who would?
Who Among Us Shall Stand For Freedom?
Katharine Graham, Publisher Washington Post
Are there any publishers or broadcasters the equal of Katherine Graham today who would bet their empire on publishing what government, shareholders or advertisers demand not be published? Yes there are. Not many, but they exist even as their numbers decrease.
Will you stand by them? Will you take the heat? Will you seek out and report on the truth? Will you exercise the rights and privileges commonly afforded journalists in America in pursuance of public interests, national security and constitutional government?
Will it be you who shall stand up for America?