All Journalists Are “Scum” – But What About Marie Colvin?

As a result of the recent News Corporation phone hacking scandal, many people ask me why I want to study journalism. In fact one man even went as far as to say “And why would you want to become the scum of the earth?” I think the Murdoch tactics of news gathering have overshadowed the real reason why a lot of people want to be journalists.

Marie Colvin was a hugely influential war reporter who was tragically killed in a Homs shelling two days ago. On the Wednesday Ms Colvin was killed, 60 civilians across Syria also died as a result of the violence between government troops and freedom fighters.

Rosemarie Colvin described her daughter to the press as passionate about her work. She said: “Her legacy is: Be passionate and be involved in what you believe in.” 

“And do it as thoroughly and honestly and fearlessly as you can.”

Marie Colvin was not only a fantastic journalist but also an example of bravery in the battle for justice. It was claimed that Syrian forces said they would kill “any journalist who set foot on Syrian soil” yet she still travelled there and reported from the besieged city of Homs. Ms Colvin’s last dispatch was from Homs telling the story of a dying baby.

She said: “I watched a little baby die today - absolutely horrific, just a two-year-old been hit, they stripped it and found the shrapnel had gone into the left chest.

'The doctor just said "I can’t do anything". His little tummy just kept heaving until he died. That is happening over and over and over.”

The BBC's Fergal Keane said Ms Colvin was "defined by her humanity". She was the perfect example of a “real” journalist, courageous and determined to expose the truth. Perhaps this is proof that some of us are just trying to help others while doing our job. Marie Colvin was an inspiration to people across the globe and her legacy will live on through her war correspondence, with whom she described as the quietly brave citizens. 


Sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2104711/Marie-Colvin-Sunday-Times-reporter-leave-Syria-day-died-says-mother.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17134371
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17124786

Lives Lost But Nothing Done – Homs, Syrian Capital of the Revolution

Last night I watched a channel 4 special report and was horrified by footage of recent killings, blood-stained hospital floors and brutal murders of innocent people. The battle in Homs continues until something is done.

The UK government was quick to jump into a war with Iraq and Afghanistan to support its allies, the US. But in Syria a “massacre” of innocent civilians is happening daily and what has our government done about this?

Nothing.  

The British army are “officially” training the Afgan army and police so they are able to defend their own country and we can withdraw. This is a worthy and justifiable cause to send soldiers there. Of course the real reason was to support America so if Britain comes under threat in the future, the US will support us too. However…

Innocent people are being murdered by Syrian government troops every day in Homs. Aid and food is not getting to those who need it. The only action the UN has taken is to draw up a crimes against humanity list and request negotiations. People cannot enter or leave the city. For someone who did not shed a tear watching “The Green Mile” or “The Notebook”, and is generally unaffected by what I watch, I will admit it. This footage made me cry. It was simply soul-destroying. We have one of the best armies in the world. Why the hell is this allowed to continue?

But sadly what is happening in Homs does not affect Britain and we cannot gain anything from sending troops in; therefore we are not going to do anything about it. But what could be a better cause for sending the British army to a country for, than to save the lives of innocent civilians? I do not understand how people can sit in their living rooms watching this violence and ignore it because it does not affect them directly. People should be outraged and doing something about this. Donate money to the Red Cross, lobby your MP, hold a peaceful demonstration, sign an online petition. These are not just numbers on a news programme, these are real people like you and I.

The UK government has to do something about this.

People’s lives are worth more than personal gain.