In the modern world, when everyone considers himself the most intelligent and knowledgeable in social, political, educational issues, it is quite difficult to be a journalist. But journalism was and will always be needed.
A look into the past
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Russian journalism, although it existed, was not yet fully strengthened.
However, even at that time there were people who forever inscribed their name in journalistic history. I would like to note that basically they were not trained specialists, but the so-called proletarians in white-collar workers. Among the first masters of fast, capacious and accurate words were writers, writers. Only a few of them were exclusively engaged in journalistic affairs. Unfortunately, it was their names that sank into oblivion.
Among the first journalists of the investigative genre is the Russian writer Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko.
Vladimir Galaktionovich found his vocation in journalism in the last decades of the 19th century. His most striking materials can be attributed to the category of investigations in the field of social crimes. One of the most topical "Case of Multan Votyaks." We can say that without Korolenko’s participation, without his meticulous study of all the facts of the case, innocent people would be convicted of murder. Investigating the truth, Vladimir Galaktionovich conducted research, which resulted in numerous articles, notes, letters and speeches.
The journalistic activity of Korolenko is the clearest example of a worthy embodiment of a media worker.
Unfortunately, not all representatives of this profession can be proud of. It’s easy to explain: the distortion of facts, the incorrect presentation of information, its untruthfulness are characteristic of journalists. That is why a comprehensive study of the problem is important for the profession.
The role of a journalist
What is the role of a modern journalist? What contribution does he make to society? What is its main goal? And what are the dangers, opportunities fraught with one of the most ancient professions?
A journalist is not just a writer who should objectively cover the realities of modern life. The main criteria are credibility and impartiality. And all because the journalist is a kind of guide, bringing the collected verified information to the public. This is a philosopher who is able, neglecting his own ambitions, to tell the truth to people. A journalist is a creator who, through his work, not only conveys his thoughts to the consciousness of people, but also makes them think about the materiality of the raised problem.
What features should be inherent in a journalist?
The profession of a journalist obliges a person to have an opponent with him, while unobtrusively fetching the necessary information from him. He must not be deprived of his mind and quick wits in order to get to the bottom of the issue without delay. He must be aware of current events. In addition, he is obliged to be mentally and physically prepared for working days, which sometimes do not fit into any time frame.
A journalist is not just a profession, it is a vocation thanks to which every person on the planet can visit anywhere in the world by barely opening a print publication or watching a report on television. Spectators and readers thanks to journalists indirectly get acquainted with interesting and extraordinary people.
Memorial Day
The profession of journalist is fraught with many secrets and dangers. Forming a public outlook on the world, correspondents and reporters often put themselves at risk …
And this blow is not always moral and emotional. There are frequent cases when, in fulfillment of their professional duty, journalists died.
In 1991, the Union of Russian Journalists decided that December 15 will be Memorial Day for journalists in the exercise of their professional duty. It was established in order to recall how difficult and dangerous the work of media employees is.
According to 2013 data, the Committee to Protect Journalists named Russia one of the most dangerous countries for reporters. They also include Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, India, Brazil, and the Philippines.
The statistics on the number of deaths cited by the International Federation of Journalists and the International Security Institute indicate that Russian journalists die in the service more often than others.
In 2014, INSI (International Institute for the Safety of Journalists) ranked Ukraine as one of the above countries. Ivan Shimonovich, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations for Human Rights, said that it is the same as of 2015. He noted that the issue of journalist security has improved. However, media workers are still in great danger.
Why do media workers die?
The UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights noted that approximately 50% of deaths occur in the conflict zone. That is, the reason lies in the hostilities undertaken by the parties. However, he also named another source of tragic outcomes: increased propaganda in the media.
In support of the first reason, we can name the accident that occurred in the spring of 2015 near the village of Shirokoye, Donetsk region. Andrei Lunev, a correspondent for the Zvezda television channel, as a result of a grenade explosion, received numerous injuries to his neck, chest, head and legs.
The second reason, propaganda, according to Shimonovich, confirms the murder of Oles Buzina. Dmitry Sosnovsky, correspondent of the electronic version of the Russian newspaper, described the Ukrainian writer and journalist:
It is believed that he was shot dead due to his political views.
Who is he - Andrey Lunev: victim or executioner?
On the website of Radio Liberty on April 14, 2015, information appeared that shocked the public. Candidate of Sciences, teacher, volunteer Sergei Gakov argued that Andrei Lunev was not blown up by accident … And he is far from being a victim, as everyone sees him, but part of a mechanism that includes people who mock prisoners. Moreover, Sergey Gakov believes that the shots taken by the correspondent are hardly even propaganda. This is a blatant lie.
