Our View: Journalists sacrifice for noble cause
BY EDITORIAL BOARD
As journalists, we’re called all kinds of names — sensationalists, mainstream, yellow, hacks, dogs, devils, paparazzi, assholes — but contrary to these accusations, we are for the most part good people.
In the last month, at least two journalists have been beheaded by the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State. These gruesome events were recorded and sent in part to traumatize and strike fear into Americans. What strikes us more than fear is the reason why these gentlemen put themselves in danger. These recent events weigh heavily on our minds in part because there are members of our staff who have goals to report overseas. This outcome is a risk they would take as they approach their future.
Journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley were willing to put their lives on the line to get the real story of what was happening in lands far from home. The Committee to Protect Journalists website reports, including them, at least 34 journalists have been killed on foreign soil this year.
We at The Statesman may not be in that position yet, but we still have to decide what we’re willing to sacrifice to share the truth. With each hard-hitting story and photo, we may risk the loss of or damage to our academic status, university funding, religious standing and respect from fellow students.
We hope the trade is worth it. We believe it will be. Our goal is to do more good than harm. As our professors have taught us, we don’t try to tell readers what to think, but we try to help them know what to think about. We would rather take these risks than invite ignorance to our campus by neglecting issues that are important. Our motive is not and should never be sensationalism. We abide by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, which says we seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and stand accountable for our actions.
We have goals this year to produce quality content worthy to win awards. We feel a sense of pride in what we do. We hope to motivate positive changes on campus.
We hope those who have had negative experiences with journalists in the past will judge us according to our actions and not for the mistakes of others. We hope we can be a positive influence at this university and do justice to the cause for which the aforementioned men have given their lives.
It’s a big deal and we hope our fellow Aggies observe these events with the same reverence that we do.