Journalism: Risky missions and enlightening messages

Journalism is an important profession that helps to enlighten millions of people. Press freedom is also crucial because it helps keep people informed about current events and keeps an eye on how governments at all levels are doing. 

History of journalism 

According to Britannica, the Acta Diurna, a news sheet believed to have originated before 59 BCE and circulated in ancient Rome, is the first known example of a journalistic work. Around 1609, the first regularly published newspapers appeared in Antwerp and cities in Germany. The Weekly Newes, the earliest English newspaper, debuted in 1622. The Daily Courant, one of the first daily newspapers, debuted in 1702.

Newspapers in the 18th century eventually started to be independent and had an important role that they have continued to enjoy today, after first being controlled by governmental censorship, taxes, and other limitations.

Due to the high expense of extensive news collecting, news agencies were created. These businesses marketed their international journalistic reporting to several newspapers and magazines. The development of the telegraph, followed by radio and television satellites and subsequently the internet, greatly accelerated the pace of journalistic work. However, in the second decade of the 21st century, social media channels in particular helped in spreading politically oriented “fake news”.

Importance of journalism 

The American Press Institute stated that news is a kind of communication to spread information about the evolving events, problems, and people in the outside world. The main purpose of news is to inform the public, even though it may also be engaging or entertaining.

In order for citizens to make the best decisions for their lives, communities, societies, and governments, journalism must thus give them the knowledge they need.

Press freedom 

A free press serves as a watchdog that may report on misconduct by the government. It is also a center for the exchange of ideas, giving regular people a platform for self-expression and access to a diverse variety of knowledge and viewpoints, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reported. 

In December 1993, the UN General Assembly declared the first World Press Freedom Day on the advice of the General Conference of UNESCO. Since then, May 3 has been observed as World Press Freedom Day to commemorate the anniversary of the declaration.

The 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day in 2023 is an open invitation to celebrate the foundations of press freedom, stand up for the media against assaults on their independence, and pay respect to journalists who have died in the line of duty.

Messages from journalists 

Jusoor Post has given a chance to some Egyptian journalists to send messages to the world about how much they appreciate their profession. 

Anas Habib, Egyptian Editor, told Jusoor Post:
I have been working in journalism for 13 years. I am now 35 years old, and I am still happy working in this career. My major was Hebrew language; however, I started working in journalism by accident. First, I worked as a freelancer. During the revolution, I worked for the English version of a website. Later, I gained more experience, and I am an editor now. 

I believe that the main goal of journalism is to uncover the truth or reveal hidden facts. Otherwise, journalism would be like public relations, which is unfortunately happening nowadays.   

Jusoor Post talked with Samar Samir, a journalist at Egypt Today, about her profession:

I believe that the journalist is a messenger who sends, reveals, and uncovers the truth for human beings. Journalists should be objective in their coverage as much as possible. Our job as journalists is highly effective and influential as words sometimes can be sharper than swords and can be like painkillers.

Journalists should always ask themselves why they should write and speak to the audience. For me as a climate change and environmental journalist, telling people about the dangers and threats of climate change is vital to disseminate public awareness of their bad behaviors regarding their environment. It is quite important also to let them know how to mitigate climate change impacts when it comes to their food, water and living.

However, journalism, unlike the past, is widely under crackdown by regimes, especially in authoritarian states where some journalists are imprisoned just because of their words.

Mahmoud Mohy, a 36-year-old Egyptian managing editor of a newspaper in the Sultanate of Oman, told Jusoor Post about his journalistic career:

I started my work in journalism in 2008 in a local Egyptian newspaper. I started as an editor and translator until I have now become a managing editor for several news websites.

For me, journalism is not just a job to earn a living but a passion. Because of this love and devotion, I endured many hardships, whether morally or financially. For me, journalism is a lofty goal that helps people to know everything about what governments are trying to hide from the public, know their rights and duties, educate themselves, and stay aware of what is happening around them.

I encountered difficult situations that put my life in danger while covering the January 25 revolution. During a Palestinian march against the Israeli separation wall, we were hit by rubber bullets and nerve gas, and I was suffocated but I survived. This happened when I was a reporter in 2013 and 2014. I endured all this because of my passion for journalism.