Oh Hemingway, where are your heroes?
I was very moved today by the death of two very gifted war reporters in Syria. The well known, Marie Colvin of course, working for the Sunday Times and the young but talent photographer Rémi Ochlik. (http://www.ochlik.com)
I read the news several times a day and it is easy to take for granted that instantaneous worldwide knowledge. What happened is also a reminder that the diligent work of journalists (though God knows that I often curses them) gives public opinion an unprecedented power that is one of the most essential safeguards for our democracies.
An article in Le Figaro pointed interestingly that they were not victims. Their deaths is undeniably a tragedy and yet, can it be compared to those of the men and women trapped in Homs, powerless to escape their fate, to change the unraveling of their lives. No, Marie Colvin and Rémi Ochlik chose to be there. They were aware of the dangers and yet chose to do their job, to carry out their self-imposed mission.
And as such, their sacrifice is laudable and their courage deserves our acknowledgment. May they rest in peace.
I read the news several times a day and it is easy to take for granted that instantaneous worldwide knowledge. What happened is also a reminder that the diligent work of journalists (though God knows that I often curses them) gives public opinion an unprecedented power that is one of the most essential safeguards for our democracies.
An article in Le Figaro pointed interestingly that they were not victims. Their deaths is undeniably a tragedy and yet, can it be compared to those of the men and women trapped in Homs, powerless to escape their fate, to change the unraveling of their lives. No, Marie Colvin and Rémi Ochlik chose to be there. They were aware of the dangers and yet chose to do their job, to carry out their self-imposed mission.
And as such, their sacrifice is laudable and their courage deserves our acknowledgment. May they rest in peace.