Memorial to journalists
The was re-dedicated on Friday in Washington. I helped read out a roll call of more than 1,800 journalists from all over the world who have been killed in the line of duty since 1860. 
Another 92 names have been added to the memorial, making 2007 a dismal year for the . Their names have been added to a soaring wall of etched glass panels inside the , a glitzy, hi-tech tribute to journalism which opens next week just down the road from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue.
As I listened to the lengthening roll call, a bell tolling after each name, I reflected on those journalists who have paid the ultimate price, just for doing their jobs. Some were my friends, some were rivals, and some were both.
I thought of my colleagues currently hard at work in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Zimbabwe….
Journalists are often characterized as grasping, petty individuals who would sell their grandmother to get the latest forgettable gossip about a Hollywood D-lister. But Friday’s ceremony reminds us all of the worthy side of our profession.
Comments
Unfortunately, it's self selecting.
The grasping petty individuals who probably *have* sold their own grandmothers are unlikely to be the ones who find themselves in situations they might not come back from.
That would be too much like trying to be real journalists.
The good ones die young.
The rest get to write about Britney.
It's good to see people whose contributions have given honour to their profession - however, where is a monument to all the innocent people around the world, who've lost their lives throughout recorded history and continue to do so.
It is sad to read about professional's being lost before their time.
To claim 'the line of duty' seems, in many cases to be sadly misguided. 'Duty' to whom?
But surely it is all about choice...at least an intelligent articulate journo has more capacity to make a decision than a 17 year old squadie?
Also the rewards of a successful journo career are potentially huge? Both intrinsic and extrinsitic?
I am sure that if one of your guys wishes to out write me you will succeed..i am only an accountant.
Andy
I would strongly disagree with anyone classifying journalists in that negative way.
The work that you guys do in such dangerous environments is vital to the survival of our democratic system.
We only need look to recent events involving the Olympic torch and how it isn't been reported in China to realise how journalism indeed provides a vital information for democratic countries to form their own opinions.