These individuals, consumed in delivering socio-political facts for presentation, were heinously murdered and largely due to public consciousness raising through asking questions. Individuals who would prefer truth remained concealed don't always embrace seeking out the truth or an alternative opinion of the truth. Anne M. Sebba gave a Vauxhall Lecture in 1998 based on her 1994 book, Battling for News: The Rise of the Women Reporter. During this lecture she conveyed the following true story from her book:
…it was Claire Sterling in Rabat in the early 50s, trying to secure an interview with the Chief Unman in Fez who was told by him: "I detest American women, especially women journalists. I think they are all whores." This may have been the first time a reporter was quite so rudely abused but it was certainly not the last. American journalist Edie Lederer, reporting from Saudi Arabia in the 1990s, first had to acquire an "I am not a whore" pass before she could travel.
So, women reporters haven't been afforded an especially easy road to haul either, in fact some claim a much more difficult journey. Presently, all reporters have a difficult path to tread.
Those who cover the news do so at risk, and those of us who follow the news can benefit from a reminder of that. The latest annual report of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists says 24 journalists in 16 countries were killed last year in the course of reporting the news. This week, the International Press Institute says 56 journalists, including other "media workers," were killed in 2001. Varied organizations declare that between 37 (all agree upon) and 100 journalists were killed in the performance of their work.
While the Fourth Estate remains the ideal of most journalists and increasing concentrations of media ownership has impaired the reality of that ideal by political, neo-ethical and occupational interests; it is also true that the news media is traditionally the watchdog of democracy. It is a valued and necessary resource. In respect for the brave souls listed here who gave up their lives and livelihoods for democracy's benefit we should each take a moment of pause and remembrance. The Fourth Estate needs us to hold the torch of free press ever onward.
Works Cited
Alledged Mafia Site. 2002.
Amnesty International. Pakistan: Amnesty International condemns killing of abducted journalist. 2002.
AOL News, Reuters. CHINA: Brutal death silences Chinese graft reporteranti-corruption crusading hero farmer turned journalist. 2001.
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