As close as it gets

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A part of my Journalism & Media minor is watching several documentaries about journalism. There was one docu that opened my eyes. For the same course, but another class I wrote a blog post related to this movie about how far a journalist can go. Since the docu really got my attention, I would like to share with you the blog post I wrote earlier this week. So, here it is:

It must have been an emotional sight; a man who had been run over by a train on a drunken night several years ago, somehow managed to survive and is now living with his wife and four children in the gravel between railway tracks in Indonesia. He has a job and is able to raise his family, but he simply cannot afford normal housing. As a spectator you would to anything to help this poor family, but as a journalist you are not allowed to do so due to journalistic norms and values. With pain in the heart, you leave the family behind. One more look and you see them smiling. They are happy with what they have: each other.
Poverty is one of the many touching issues James Nachtwey, an American photojournalist and war photographer, represents in the documentary War Photographer, directed by Christian Frei. The story does not only show images of people living in bad circumstances, but the main theme of this documentary is the level to which a journalist should become involved in the events they are participating in. For a journalist it is not ethical to become part of a story. A journalist should observe, take pictures and should write a story about an event. However, James Nachtwey is different. He does not only take pictures of happenings. No, he is part of a story. On his mission to Rwanda there was a man who was being tortured in front of James’ eyes. Many journalists were standing on a bridge taking pictures and doing nothing, but the famous war photographer decided to help the man. James laid down on the floor, screaming and begging to stop the torture. Unfortunately, his help was not worthy enough. The man eventually died. 
So again, how far can a journalist go? Are you just watching people getting hurt while you have everything back home? Or are you willing to help the people, even though it might have consequences for your career? According to James Nachtwey ‘’We must look at it. We are required to look at it. We are required to do what we can about it. If we don't, who will?’’