Journalists face innumerous dangers while reporting in countries like Syria where there are plenty of stories to tell, and many who wish to keep them untold.

Freelance journalists many of whom are young and unexperienced are at the highest risk – there are no guidelines or assurance of saftey. Freelancers also do not recieve a steady income and therefore many are unable to afford the luxury of insurance and ample means of communication. Even experienced journalists, backed by news media companies risk cyber- hacking, kidnapping, and im some cases, death.

The news media, as defined by journalists, have a responsibility to report what is occuring in Syria – allowing the world to understand the state of affairs, injustices forced on and faced by civilians, and the horrors of civil war. The truth is needed in order to gain perspective and allow aid and support to be given accordingly. Without journalists risking their lives to tell these stories, there is little likelihood of things improving for innocents.

#VIDEO: Could developing countries walk out on #ParisClimateTalks? Watch: https://t.co/KiI5cfZiHA #COP21 #NICOP21 pic.twitter.com/xCTetJo14q

— New Internationalist (@newint) December 5, 2015

#VIDEO: Undercover police crack down on freedom of speech in Paris corporate event: https://t.co/S55P7FNgfZ #COP21 pic.twitter.com/JGgqRtGSy8

— New Internationalist (@newint) December 5, 2015

As told by BBC:
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-eu-30829005

So, here’s my take on these articles:

As with any “sensitive” topic, there are two sides of the coin. I think that the way an article is percieved by the public is realted to a lot of different factors. I think that the background of the author in relation to the topic determine creditibility (on either side of the controversy).

Specifically, in the article regarding Serena Williams and female body image, I do not think that there was any offensive content, not do I believe that the intention of the article was to offend. Many criticized the article for simply “mirroring” the issue instead of provoking thoughts about underlying issues. I think that the author may have touched upon more “meaty” parts of the story had they not been so pressed to be sensitive. Unfortunately, this is a lose/lose situation. Someone will always be offended by a piece like this.

Regarding the second article on Taye Diggs, I do see how some of the comments that were supposed to be humorous could be insutling to readers. I understand that the author probably wanted to make the article a light read and add some humor, but it’s probably not the smartest thing to make a joke of a sensitive topic.

All in all, I think that no matter what is written, there will be a group or audience that will be offended. That’s just the way it is!

There were a few things that could have been handled better regarding the release of this article. Unfortunately, the sources were annoynmous therefore we are unable to determine whether or not it can be deemed as reliable. The fact that these were very experienced reporters either means one of two things: the “reliable” source had a motive for giving false information, or the reporters were interested in making controversial headlines.

If they truly believed the information they recieved from their source was correct when they released the article, once the information was revised and corrected, there should have been a statement made, clarifying the situation. The story was not “developing” but it turned out to be a completely different situation all together.

I believe that news organization absolutely had a duty to publish the classified documents that he provided. If not for instances like this one, there is no accountability in terms of government. Snowden was being charged with espionage, which essentially means that there is no way for him to legally be absolved from his “crime,” whether the government was commiting its own crimes against the public or not. This type of hipocrisy needed to be exposed to the public. Unfortunately, however, I do not believe that the exposure of these documents to the public did anyone any justice. By that, I mean, I don’t think that the NSA will change its ways, and I don’t believe that Americans will have any more privacy due to this situation. Instead, perhaps, the NSA will better cover their own tracks in the future.

Local: Family Returns home to Breezy 3 Years After Sandy

I thought that this article was extremely important, because as someone who had family and friends that were greatly affected by Sandy in 2012, I understand the devastation that the event still causes. Many people still have not been relocated and/or compensated for their losses, and it is imperitive that even those who were left unscathed by the storm realize that these people still struggle as a result. The article itself was focused on a small victory for one family, however I think that it would have been more efective news if it had gone into the more intimate details of the family’s struggle.

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150909/breezy-point/family-returns-home-breezy-point-3-years-after-sandy

National: Records: Energy Department struck by cyber attacks

This article allows readers to be informed on the state of national security. Cyber attacks have been rampant and sensitive information is being released to people who do not have the US’s best interest in mind. Although the article was coverered well and with plentiful details and statistics,  I feel like this sort of news is the type that if covered too extensively can cause widespread panic among the public.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/09/09/cyber-attacks-doe-energy/71929786/

International: Obama to propose higher refugee limits for Syrians

This article sheds some light on an enormous issue at the moment. Syrian refugees have nowhere to go, and there are thousands of people suffering as they try to find sanctuary. The US has not made any great effort to relieve the refugees in this way, so it is great that Obama is working towards this cause. I think that the issue was covered effectively although I would have liked more statistics in order to communicate the graveness of the situation.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/09/09/obama-propose-higher-refugee-ceiling-syrian/71948318/