Journalism is fraught with Challenges
By the Secretariat, SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk, November 26, 2021
In its fifth session, SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk’s webinar, Journalism in a Fragmented World, focused on Humanitarian Journalism. The virtual platform invited questions from participants in an atmosphere that allowed them to express their concerns and share real-life experiences. Comments and questions ranged from agreement with speaker Kalpana Sharma that breaking news was indeed destroying journalism, to how to deal with editors – and client NGOs – who actually demand the heart-wrenching, soul-destroying visuals now popularly termed “poverty porn” in order to sensationalise the situation, or just sell the story better.
Declaring herself also not in favour of using such images, speaker Jacqueline Fernandez, Communications Manager, ICRC Myanmar, suggested that journalists who found themselves in that kind of difficult situation should instead focus on images that showed hope and resilience, and spoke to the dignity of the individual being portrayed, and their communities. Another concern voiced by participants was whether journalists should be advocates or activists, and if this could lead to a certain bias in their reporting. Independent journalist, columnist and author Sharma remarked that the issue here was to derive an understanding of the big picture, which meant understanding both (or more) sides of the issue, and not just reporting the official version.
The topic of social media affecting humanitarian reporting also came up for discussion, with Sharma pointing out that sometimes social media was the only means of documenting an event. She added that journalists turn to it because they don’t want to depend on big media houses. Shay Cullen, Founder and President of the Preda Foundation, urged journalists to master social media and make it their tool for telling the truth and spreading good news. Fernandez, too, declared support of social media because its outreach enables the transmission of key information that is sometimes vital for communities.
Participants expressed concern over how to verify information from remote areas, which sometimes proves to be a complicated matter. Fernandez suggested that they find reliable on-the-ground sources to verify such information, cautioning that it was imperative for verification to be done as unverified information could endanger lives and also affect reputations. Three participants were invited to wrap up the discussion with final comments on what they would be taking away from the day’s session.
Porimal, from Bangladesh, said the detailed discussion convinced him that journalists are activists for truth and justice but had also made him aware of the many dangers they face, becoming partisan not the least. There was definitely a need for balance and to tell all sides of their stories. Jane, from Malaysia, said the input had made her realise that the humanitarian side sometimes got lost in the pursuit of the story, adding that the story of the people interviewed, and its humanitarian aspect, had to always be respected. Respect was also emphasised by Marianne, from Singapore, who said that she realised that case studies should not be treated as commodities, and suffering should be portrayed as hopeful. It was also important for journalists to find the support of like-minded people in their efforts to go beyond the 5Ws and 1H, when carrying out their work.
SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk and LICAS News Asia are the organisers of the SIGNIS Asia Journalism Fellowship Programme on the theme “Journalism in a Fragmented World,” a seven-week programme for lay Catholic and like-minded journalists working in the secular media. Offered virtually, the seven-week webinar brings together 25 selected participants from 14 countries to build capacity and promote exchange among media professionals and journalists who want to use their platform for social change. Programme details: https://www.signisasia.net/journalism-in-a-fragmented-world-webinar-2021/