EGUILLON, FRECILO A. BC5A MASS MEDIA ETHICS PROF.

ALEX MAALIW 10/13/2011 JOURNALISTS COVERING HIGH RISK ASSIGNMENTS If you would ask a broadcast journalist whether hed like to cover a war or any stories alike they will definitely say YES. For us, covering such stories is a life taking circumstances, but they are broadcast journalist and they think differently. Dangerous and high risk reportage is a dream assignment for them for they considered it as the real work or real journalism.

Over the past years, weve seen local journalists covering very crucial stories like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the most memorable coverage for me is the one Jessica Soho experienced in her visit in Iraq in the midst of its combat with the US army. While she was walking in a local village in Iraq with her team and some local guides, a sudden explosion occur right in front of her. The devastating incident was taped by her cameraman and that they were able to view what had happened. Ironically sounded, that particular incident or coverage was able to bag an award locally and even recognized internationally. With this, I was wondering, does it take ones life in order to be recognized?

As a student and still part of the mass viewers, it is not understandable somehow why these people weve been watching in our tubes, need to sacrifice their life just for a minute coverage of the whole story. Though it is their utmost job to bring the story to satiate the need for information, why risk your life? Was it really for the matter of fulfilling ones profession or its for them to prove themselves for the sake of recognition? But as a communication student, I have to understand the nature of their career. I remember a statement from Jessica Soho in a blog entry during the preparation of their networks team lead by Mike Enriquez and Howie Severino for coverage of Iraq war, the network bosses doesnt ask for the cost but their primary concern is the safety of what theyll be going for.

My viewpoint about journalists following high risk story is that, they were fulfilling their responsibilities in not so plain reason of they want to bring the truth. But, instead theres a hidden desire of having big name (though not all) in the industry. Maybe Im just into the theres-alwaysanother-way thinking.

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