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Threats to journalists are increasing

by Kedar Bhattarai

"Solidarity is Strength". It seems a trade union movement slogan. In fact it is, but it applies to each and every segment of all professions. That's why we can say it is a way of life as well. Here it is mentioned because today is International Day of Journalists' Solidarity. Because of the working environment, increasing threats to journalists and for the professional development of journalists, this slogan is more relevant to journalism but not to the trade union movement.

Before saying any more, it will be relevant to give an historical account of the International Day of Journalists Solidarity, which is linked with a tragic incidence. In other words, the day is a death anniversary of a brave journalist, who never compromised press freedom and fought against fascism till his last breath.

The great person was Julius Fucik, a Czechoslovak journalist, was born in a town near Prague on February 23, 1903. When he was 17, he contributed to the newspaper that belonged to the Czechoslovak Revolutionary Left Wing. Before that, when he was 12, he already had written a manuscript for his parents and sisters to the first magazine in his life, called "The Slav", in which he had reacted to the terror of the First World War. In this way Julius Fucik had sharpened his revolutionary pen.

Then, he started working in a newspaper named "Rude Pravo" from which he started fighting against the German Nazis with pen and paper. Ultimately, Nazis were defeated 60 years ago on 8 September 1943, but they executed him on the same day. Later, in memory of his death, September 8 is being observed as International Day of Journalists Solidarity.

In 1929, Czechoslovakia faced a great economic crisis on account of the worldwide economic depression. Most of the factories were shut down and people lost their jobs. Meanwhile Julius Fucik visited former Union of Socialist Soviet Republic (USSR) and after returning to Czechoslovakia he worked at being an activist of socialism. He was arrested on April 4th 1943 and imprisoned, where he wrote a book named 'Report from the Gallows'.

This book has so far been translated into more than 90 languages and published in more than 300 editions around the world. People from all professions appreciate the book. This book is considered a most emotional literary testimony in which Julius Fucik has sent his message to all the people that: "People, I love you. Be on your guard.

"This message was mainly for against Hitler's fascism. Many awards, established by different organizations in memory of Julius Fucik, have honoured many journalists around the world. Most of the awards are given to the journalists who have performed excellently for peace, co-operation and understanding among the nations.

He was also a literary historian and critic. His literary works from 1939-1941 rank with the leading works of Czech literature.

Julius Fucik was not only freedom fighter with pen and paper, he was also a teacher for new generation journalists. His statement about the journalists was: There is no such animal as a natural journalist, a journalist who stands above thugs. This statement gives a guideline, for all journalists around the world, that is, journalism should be in favour of people's freedom. For that, journalism should be guided by the ABC formula, where A stands for Accuracy, B for Balance and C for Credibility. And having all these featured, news, articles and even literature will be in favour of general public.

Now the world scenario has changed. Political situation and developed technology seems to be in favour of journalists, but the threats to the journalists have not been reduced. The trend of killing journalists has not stopped. Governments and all kinds of terrorists are killing journalists. Neo-fascism and terrorism that may be motivated by politics or pure terrorism are the enemies of journalists.

Anyone who has chosen the journalism profession, must exercise it as a vital calling, must choose the side in which he/her stands, must learn to seek and recognize the new. To achieve this, solidarity among journalists within organizations, nations and around the world is a must.

In this connection the slogan "Solidarity is Strength" stands for the journalists to develop journalism as a profession for the people, which was Julius Fucik's message that: "People, I love you. Be on your guard". And, all journalists must be on their guard for the people, as a united force with pen and paper.

(The writer is a journalist with the "Gorkhapatra Daily", in Nepal and Executive Member of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists. Currently he is working as a Media Volunteer at the Sri Lanka Environmental Journalists Forum (SLEJF). He can be reached via E-mail [email protected])

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