What can we expect?

Almost a year ago, El Diario de Jaurez, published a question pointed to drug cartels in Mexico.

 What do you want from us?

This simple question had my mind spinning. Why were these journalists dedicated to exposing the truth of their city asking what these criminals wanted? I was immediately conflicted. I have family in Mexico that have seen the violence that the drug cartels and government have caused. Reading stories written by Mexican journalists I saw them as the bravest and most dedicated of people so when I read the headline I was confused. These journalists knew what they signed on for. They knew going into it that the drug cartels spare no one, so how could they expect no retaliation? 

Honestly though, what level of protection can we as journalists expect? How can we expect powerful and accurate pieces to be produced for the public if the pressures of death are looming over their heads? 

Mexico's reaction to this was to create an agreement between media outlets. This agreement outlines what journalists covering drug cartels must follow.

"1) Take a stance against violence: […] the media should never, under any circumstance, justify actions and arguments of organized crime and terrorism […].
2) Do not become an involuntary spokesman for organized crime: […] the media should avoid using the language used by delinquents […]. Prevent that delinquents or presumed ones turn into victims or public heroes […].
3) Provide context for information: Present information in its correct context and in perspective […]
4) Specifically attribute responsibility for crimes: […] In the event that any State action to combat organized crime falls into excesses, is outside the law or violates human rights, it should always be recorded […] when the State action is performed within the law, it should be clear that violence is the product of criminal groups."

In nation's that human rights are being denied and there is constant conflict, journalists are facing oppression and violence. Journalists are faced with the decision to do their job but with constraints in limits. Journalists across the world are facing this problem. In this past year alone we've lost great reporters and photographers. 

I guess what I'm trying to say (and in turn work out how I feel), as journalists we have a duty to report the facts, but does that mean whatever the costs? Where do we draw the line and do we ASK the group that is destroying not only how journalists work but a society as a whole what they expect and want from us? How can journalists ask that and still fulfill their job as reporters of the facts?  


I still haven't decided how I feel about the situation. There is no real answer except that journalists will continue doing their job despite the risks. Mexico has proved that. Libya has proved that. Pakistan has proved that. So many other countries have proved that when faced with a human rights dilemma that silences the voices of it's media and country(wo)men, people will continue to spread the message.