Journalists take on an uncontrolled risk every day in the field – we can never know what to expect on any given day.
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Though we differ on opinions sometimes, our job is to bring you the news. We’re just people, and we’re here to do a job.
No one deserves to die at work.
After a mass shooting at newspaper Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, took the lives of five people and left others injured, journalists worldwide are standing in solidarity with their fellow colleagues.
The gunman, identified as 38-year-old Jarrod Ramos – who had filed a defamation lawsuit against the paper – opened fire on the newspaper office last week.
Australian mayor of Annapolis Gavin Buckley said he was “devastated” by the shooting in the Maryland capital.
“We are especially devastated because we know the journalists," Mr Buckley said.
"The journalists who sit through council meetings, report on us, report on our kids' sports teams, cats up in trees, all of that local journalism that is really important."
Just as with the Charlie Hebdo shooting in 2015, the local paper in Maryland is determined more than ever to continue publishing.
Journalists Rob Hiaasen, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, and John McNamara, and sales assistant Rebecca Smith were victims of a systemic injustice and prejudice against free speech. Distrust of journalists is growing higher worldwide.
Only 20% of Australians rated newspaper journalists as ‘very high’ or ‘high’ for ethics and honesty, according to Roy Morgan’s annual Image of Professions Survey 2017.
The greater antagonist, and the one who seems to want to ensure the death of democracy and free press, however, is our villain in politicians deliberately turning people against journalists for populist gains.
One fair example of the virus in our country is health minister Greg Hunt who lashed out at Radio National presenter Patricia Karvelas after she asked him a question – how dare she!
Journalists are just people trying to do a job, and we are the voice of the community.
For us, it’s Jacinta Dickins whose dedication in covering the Nurses’ Quarters provided you with a voice which otherwise would not be heard.
It’s Liam Warren, who gives up his Sundays to report on the glory of Griffith taking the field in sport.
It’s Jess Coates, who shines a light on Coleambally and has a keenness for Council that councillors don’t even have.
And, it’s Anthony Stipo, whose camera has captured precious moments of Griffith life, whether that be your children acting in plays, or on the soccer field.
In light of the occurrence in Maryland, it is important to take stock of what the local paper gives the community.
The horrors of that day in Maryland bring to the fore the risks journalists face simply doing their job bringing the news to the people. This is especially true in an age where the profession is constantly beleaguered by accusations of ‘fake news’ when the facts don’t match someone’s agenda.
The community paper may not bring down Presidents but we offer what is important to the people who matter.
We hope to continue working as the voice of the community.
The Area News stands with our journalist colleagues in Maryland.