They risk their lives for us
April 7, 2012 1 Comment
The U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, John Bass, recently criticized Georgian journalists.
He said they don’t ask difficult questions, aren’t skeptical towards answers they receive, avoid certain topics, and aren’t asking follow-up questions after receiving vague answers.
That’s bad.
Bass thinks this low level of journalism is partly due to a lack of professionalism and partly due to a biased editorial policy at certain broadcasting organizations.
I agree with both reasons, but I place more blame on government-controlled broadcasters.
No big news. The problem exists throughout the world and the results are similar—journalists support the ruling party rather than battling on behalf of the general population. And I’m not sure how I’d react if I were a journalist in Georgia who was not lucky enough to work at an independent news organization. I like to think that I challenge authority when necessary, but . . . it’s difficult to walk in another’s shoes.
I realize that the photojournalists in East Timor depicted in this 6-minute video are censoring themselves, but they deserve respect. Jose Belo and his peers are challenging authority. They are not only risking their jobs, but also their lives.
That’s good (which means I’m proud of them).