Journalist: More Than Just a Writer
By: Cecilia Tettey
Listening to Ed Barnes, a former reporter for Time Magazine and Life Magazine, made me realize that journalism is for people who are out of their minds but who are willing to do anything at all costs to reveal the truth. Once the truth is unveiled there's pretty much nothing left to say or do.
As Barnes put it, "Without the truth, no society can work."
There are so many lies hidden in the world we live in and will continue to be many more lies ahead in the future -- from how wars get started, distortions about the economy, and corrupt public figures and so on. The saying goes if something is too good to be true then it probably is. The world isn't perfect, nor are human beings, and that's something everyone can understand. Every single person can relate to making mistakes and having downfalls. But when those mistakes are covered up because of whatever reason that leads to an opening of many dilemmas to unveil -- that's when it's time to put your journalism cap and get to the bottom of things.
Journalists in a way are like warriors. The stories every child hears of warriors are that they are the most fearless, brave individuals who, in certain situations, put their lives on the line for others. Many journalists all over the world are murdered and labeled as demons for intentionally causing "harm and destruction" when indeed all they want to do is just reveal the truth. Most people might think of police officers, fire fighters and soldiers as brave individuals who risk their lives to serve their community and country. But journalists also deserve a spot on that list. Real journalists are the ones who refuse to take no for an answer, who travel overseas and dare to challenge the laws of the world – like Ed Barnes who almost lost his life in countless times and was also beaten in several countries including places like Serbia and Uganda.
But the most important thing I learned from listening to Ed Barnes and his experiences about being a journalist is the adventure of living such a rare life people on a regular basis that many people cannot even imagine. "Journalism is a profession and art. Communications is about thinking and thinking clearly," says Barnes.
A journalist wakes up in the morning to an unplanned day not knowing what the next the story can lead to. But that's the choice journalists make in knowing that's what they're meant to do. If you wake up every day just not knowing what can happen and pretty much living a classic Hollywood movie that in real life isn't possible. As a journalist, Barnes had to figure out – in real life – ways to save his live or prevent being sentenced to jail or being killed.
Things like this aren't normal and that's the life of a journalist.
Your days aren't planned or normal it just happens as you go along for the ride. There's something in your DNA in which you were meant to do this. Even though I don't want to be a journalist, I want my career to be adventurous where I learn about life and it's mysterious ways and just sit back one day to reminisce.
