2008 Woodie Awards
Viking remembers fellow journalist
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Opinion
It isn't unusual for some people to regard journalists as cockroaches, like scavengers doing anything to get a story. It also is not uncommon for all of us to find fault in a journalist's writing or photo. Throughout all the fun, we sometimes forget the necessity of journalists, as well as the risks they take to inform the public. Daniel Pearl was one such journalist.
Four months after 9/11, Pearl was kidnapped by terrorists. The U.S. did not give in to the terrorists' video taped demands to release him, which resulted in Pearl's beheading. Videos of his murder laced with anti-Semitism and propaganda, circulated on the Internet.
The 30-minute nightmare serves as a reminder of the potential risks journalists face.
The ordeal also is a reminder of how lucky we all are to have information to safeguard against similar threats. Such information is at times, provided by journalists.
Pearl was more than a journalist. Not only was Pearl gifted in writing, he had a strong sense of justice. Pearl could have easily been a passive journalist, taking on stories that didn't require more than an interview and hours of research.
No, Pearl actually stepped in to no man's land to pursue information on the notorious shoe bomber, Richard Reid. Few people or even the blowhards on CNN, would put their lives at risk to inform the public.
If (clean) journalism had a picture beside its definition in the dictionary, Pearl would be the picture. Pearl is the symbol of the highest level of journalism, as well as a symbol of the freedoms we take for granted, which are supplemented by journalists like Pearl.
Fortunately, we have not forgotten Pearl and his sacrifices. Music events are going on not only remembering Pearl, but in a way, for every other journalist or humanitarian who died doing his or her job. Let us continue to commemorate Pearl for his work and be thankful for what Pearl has given as a result of his death.
Four months after 9/11, Pearl was kidnapped by terrorists. The U.S. did not give in to the terrorists' video taped demands to release him, which resulted in Pearl's beheading. Videos of his murder laced with anti-Semitism and propaganda, circulated on the Internet.
The 30-minute nightmare serves as a reminder of the potential risks journalists face.
The ordeal also is a reminder of how lucky we all are to have information to safeguard against similar threats. Such information is at times, provided by journalists.
Pearl was more than a journalist. Not only was Pearl gifted in writing, he had a strong sense of justice. Pearl could have easily been a passive journalist, taking on stories that didn't require more than an interview and hours of research.
No, Pearl actually stepped in to no man's land to pursue information on the notorious shoe bomber, Richard Reid. Few people or even the blowhards on CNN, would put their lives at risk to inform the public.
If (clean) journalism had a picture beside its definition in the dictionary, Pearl would be the picture. Pearl is the symbol of the highest level of journalism, as well as a symbol of the freedoms we take for granted, which are supplemented by journalists like Pearl.
Fortunately, we have not forgotten Pearl and his sacrifices. Music events are going on not only remembering Pearl, but in a way, for every other journalist or humanitarian who died doing his or her job. Let us continue to commemorate Pearl for his work and be thankful for what Pearl has given as a result of his death.
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galileo
posted 10/11/08 @ 12:16 AM PST
An honorable way of remembering Daniel Pearl is
to participate in the 7th annual Daniel Pearl World
Music Days, October 1-31, see www.danielpearlmusicdays. (Continued…)
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