Journalistic profession is still putting reporters under great risk. What does that entail? Gathering insights from our Editorial Staff, it is possible to understand how we must strive towards upholding the value of words and bringing forwards the memory of the people who have written those words.
More than 2000 journalists and media workers are reported to having been killed since 1990, with some still missing to date1; with a focus on a broader time-range, the numbers would probably result in being higher, but information on the matter only dates back to the last decade of the 20th century. Regardless of increased international efforts, working in journalism remains perilous. The importance of journalists in preserving the free flow of information has been emphasized, especially in recent years, as have the significant risks—both new and old—that come with their work. Journalists suffer threats, violence, incarceration, and even death all across the world, merely for carrying out their duties and giving voice to stories, articulating them in a way which can be appreciated by several different audiences2.
A relevant historical fact in the Italian scenario is the one concerning the murder of Ilaria Alpi, an Italian journalist, and Miran Hrovatin, a Slovakian cameraman, both of whom were on assignment for the Italian state RAI3 television station. On March 20th, 1994, in Mogadishu, Somalia, they were killed by armed men with machine guns who opened fire on their pickup truck outside the Italian embassy3. They were sent there to report on the Somalian Civil War, and they were working on illegal arms and toxic waste trafficking4. 2024 marked the thirty–year anniversary of such tragedy, which hasn’t seen justice yet, in spite of – alleged – efforts from institutions. Remarking the importance of the matter, Sergio Mattarella asserted how the death of these two figures is a “wound for the entire society”5.
Please, let us not be silenced. Conflicts, wars, political entanglements all find their ways to impose on journalistic liberty, either by formal, substantial, or lethal censorship. That happened in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, in the crisis of the Middle East6. More recently, even on the Italian state television some journalists have spoken out against all kinds of censorship, promoting freedom of expression, standing strong against the public television becoming “a megaphone for the government”7. Seems as if the thirty-years cycle involving Ilaria Alpi has somehow closed on to those who feel the pressure of bettering things.
A decade ago, the United Nations put together a formal plan to address this issue. Striving towards the generation of a safe environment for all journalists and media workers, “the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity addresses the fundamental aspects of prevention, protection, and prosecution”, strengthening “peace, democracy and sustainable development worldwide”8.
What do journalists want to do? Gathering insights from our Editorial Staff at Tra i Leoni, several different ideas were presented on the core meaning of reporting and journalism. It is considered by some to be one of the most aspiringly pure forms of communication. Journalism represents a way to give meaning to what is left unexplained. Journalists want to investigate the unknown, report events, or ideas, that are, or should be, spreading. Sometimes they season said ideas with their own views and experiences.
Unexplained facts are of little use: reporters shall put their eyes at the service of building a bridge between those who cannot be where we are and ourselves. Nonetheless, honesty shouldn’t abandon us, as we all shall be truthful enough to admit that everyone possesses an interpretation of facts; this doesn’t necessarily involve a negative conception of biasing information. This kind of interpretation can be of help, unveiling a specific kind of viewpoint on the world which can support the understanding of facts.
Journalism brings out the truth, sheds light on events which deserve more attention, and, eventually, makes a change. That is why falling into “nothingness” is dreaded. Still, the way in which reporters are prosecuted can show a brighter side of this terrible medal. That side is embodied by the relevance of words, of the importance and impact that some letters assembled together in the right way can have for trying to expose mistakes, trying to improve things. We should all strive towards remembering, so as to avoid words’ hollowing out, maintaining their crucial meaning live forever.
Just an average guy that read “On the road” a bit too soon and was led to tending to fall in love too much with too many things. Still in Bocconi, still trying to study Management of Government and International Organisations. I don’t know if I can say that I am a global citizen, I am more of a citizen that likes the globe.
