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[brendan68]

Hi. I am а newcomer in AMA from Moscow. I am a journalist

Comments

[khemlab]

Oh, wow. I really admire you for opening the door of the police wagon, but I can see where your editor is coming from too.

I guess my concern is - what if it becomes known that the press will interfere with the police action? Is it possible the police would then try to keep the press away? You're going to have to decide if it feels more important to you to directly help the protestors or to make sure the rest of the world knows what's happening.

[brendan68]

I just wrote, reread and read your response, and it was clear that I must do. Tomorrow I am going as a civic activist. It will be honestly

[khemlab]

Good luck, and take care of yourself. Thank you for what you're doing, both as a journalist and an activist.

[brendan68]

))

[the_ayin]

I sympathize with your decision, and I know that it must have been a hard one. But one of Putin's greatest crimes (and, arguably, the greatest crime of any dictator) is his attempt to control free speech and free press. The protests cannot have their intended effect if they aren't reported on, and if you give the police an excuse to exclude the press, they will use it.

If you need help making these decisions, or if you are threatened and need a different venue in which to speak, my sister is a human rights attorney and co-authors the blog wronging rights. If you want me to, I can link her to your blog and give her your contact information, and she may be able to help you find international venues for your work.

[brendan68]

It is also the fact, that , I spend a lot of time with these people since early May. They have been protesting, I have been working. In one moment, when activists did camp in the center of Moscow "Occupy" where stayed almost near week, and journalists even were fed by activists, we became very close. And, of course, it's hard to look at it dispassionately. I think you're really right about that "if you give the police an excuse to exclude the press, they will use it". Undoubtedly I can cross up other journalists. And I need to make a choice. thanks for your suggestion. I'll keep in mind.

[theniwokesoftly]

Where's the like button?!

[couri]

It's true that it's a journalist's job to remain objective and not alter the course of events, but truthfully, I would have done the same thing.

So, professionally, this is probably not your best course of action.

On a humanitarian level, however, you are a hero.

I was going to suggest that you think and decide about where you want to be in this, but it looks as though you have already made up your mind. Please be careful. We need more people in the world like you.

[brendan68]

))

[nanini]

I understand your point and your indecision, of course.
But there is another point to consider:

Do you think it's more noble to be there as an activist of to make sure what happens is seen by many people, which can eventually lead to change in the future?

This is not an easy decision, of course, but by being an activist in the square, are you really doing the best you could for the cause?

[brendan68]

From the other hand, you right. But even I go like a civic activist I can still write. I have a blog which read near 3000 people. Some editions have been buying my photos. Only I can not work under the cover ID Press. Moreover I have no money to pay the fines. As a rule, activists do not pay penalties. Usually this is the risk that authorities do not permit to go abroad.

[newwaytowrite]

I think that if you involve yourself as an activist you may get the first person experience of the aftermath (the arrest, the incarceration and the beatings) and while experiencing all that you will be away from your job. If you get out of jail after 15 days you could find yourself without a job and the good you could be doing as a reporter informing your fellow citizens of the injustice is lost.

[brendan68]

by the way, I am a freelancer