#3// The Courageous Watchdog

On Wednesday, we discussed four main responsibilities of a journalist:

1) Two Way Mirror

2) Courageous Watchdog

3) Free-market Place

4) Optimism

The “Courageous Watchdog”. I especially like the first word, courageous. Although journalism requires having and making connections, being a journalist doesn’t always mean you have friends. Probably for this sole reason: your friendship comes second to your story. Occasionally, a journalist’s safety is undermined by the importance of telling the facts. The International Women’s Media Foundation present the “Courage in Journalism” awards every year, giving accolades to journalists who went that extra step to be the watchdog for the people; whether that means getting arrested, having security cameras set up in your own home, or just being hated by an entire nation… they were there. You can read more about these awards and the winners here:

http://iwmf.org/honoring-courage/2012-courage-in-journalism-awards.aspx

I want to specifically point out Asmaa al-Ghoul, a contributing writer for Al-Monitor’s Palestine Pulse. She plays a vital role in uncovering human rights abuses and reporting on development issues, and because of this she regularly “receives death threats and has been beaten by Hamas security forces while covering protests.” If she doesn’t have courage, I don’t know who does. You can read her controversial stories here: 

 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/contents/authors/asmaa-al-ghoul.html

"This event which I come to just about every year, always humbles me deeply. And it always inspires me. These amazing women encourage me. Their stories uplift me. Their work astounds me and leaves me in awe. It's so good to know that these women and so many others like them are out there every day, risking their lives and their livelihoods in pursuit of the truth. All of us here tonight and around the world are beneficiaries of their courage, their voices and their noble struggle" 

-Journalist, Maria Shriver.

Another word for courage is the less flamboyant "integrity," a word that comprises professional, moral and political integrity in doing one's job as a reporter or analyst. Acting with integrity means honestly probing the causes of the many problems and then suggesting antidotes that offer a way towards a more stable, productive and equitable society. Journalists fulfill this duty as they serve as the Watchdog.