![James Foley once said he reported from the Middle East because, "We're not close enough to it. And if reporters, if we don't try to get really close to what these guys - men, women, American [soldiers] ... are experiencing, we don't understand the world" (Photo Credit: Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images).](http://staging.blog.amnestyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/453861316.jpg)
James Foley once said he reported from the Middle East because, “We’re not close enough to it. And if reporters, if we don’t try to get really close to what these guys – men, women, American [soldiers] … are experiencing, we don’t understand the world” (Photo Credit: Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images).
This is why the beheading of reporter James Foley is so important to anyone concerned about human rights in the region. It’s important not just because, as Amnesty International says, it is “a war crime,” but because Syria right now by most standards is now the most dangerous place in the world for journalists.
The world loses attention to a crisis for many reasons, but in Syria, one key reason is because journalists increasingly aren’t able to report on the crisis. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) states that at least 69 journalists have been killed covering the conflict. More than 80 have been kidnapped. CPJ estimates that approximately 20 journalists are currently missing in Syria, many held by Islamic State.
The crimes have been committed by both the Assad regime and by armed opposition groups such as Islamic State, the group that beheaded Foley. Both groups are literally “shooting the messenger.”
News organizations have pulled back their reporters, and those that remain are being more cautious in their travels. But the consequences are significant (Photo Credit: John Cantlie/Getty Images).
Under such circumstances, it’s not surprising that some news organizations have pulled back their reporters, and those that remain are being more cautious in their travels.
When reporters like James Foley can't do their job, the rest of the world falls back on stereotypes and preconceived notions about societies they don't know anything about.
When reporters like James Foley can’t do their job, the rest of the world falls back on stereotypes and preconceived notions about societies they don’t know anything about. The commentary and analysis is left to people whose expertise often is second hand. We stop paying attention.
That’s bad for policy and it’s bad for human rights because activism starts with the documentation of abuses that journalists can do. That’s true in Syria, and for that matter, it’s even true when journalists get arrested in Ferguson, Mo. When journalists are silenced, it’s a win for the abusers.
When journalists are silenced, it’s a win for human rights abusers (Photo Credit: Salih Mahmoud Leyla/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images).
James Foley and others stood up to the threat and he should be honored for that essential work. The best way to remember him would be for the international community to redouble its efforts and press for the protection of journalists in Syria.
The Islamic State and all armed groups must release all civilians, rights defenders and journalists such as Foley’s American colleague Steven Sotloff. The Assad regime must stop its own abusive practices against journalists, including the enforced disappearance of Ali Mahmoud Othman.
The messengers must be able to speak.
I believe americans have the ability to stop these rebel groups. Americans need to not turn the other cheek to these people anymore. Wish I could do more. Americans need to somehow pressure our government to help further. No matter how complex it is very simple to.me…take further action to stop these horrible acts on all of these people..not just americans over there.but the defenseless civilians.
These same people should have also demanded he not start another Iraq War, end the drone strikes, not start a war in Libya, end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq much sooner and end sanctions against Iran
I go through your blog. the content is very good and contains lots of information. we will wait for the future posts. thanks and good luck!
nice article thanks to share
nice article thanks to share
The crimes have been committed by both the Assad regime and by armed opposition groups such as Islamic State…
great article
nice post.
Thanks for posting great article for issue of syria.
Facts and other points given here are quite considerable, there should be peace in Syria, Terrorists are creating too much troubles and uncertainty, there should be just peace other than war, Humanity should be given first priority. Who doesn't follows humanity is not a man.
Fantastic Wrting
Wonderful
You are right.Its too risk for journalists.
After three years of the Syrian uprising, it often appears like the world is tuning out. Deaths continue on a daily basis, some 9 million Syrians are listed by the U.N. as either refugees or internally displaced people
Wonderful and interesting post. Nice information.
I totally agree with that.Now syria is a one of the danger zone.Be careful all of journalists.
oleh karenanya , jurnalis tidak perlu memberitakan berita terbaru di syiria , cukup di rumah saja
Syria is a dangerous place I know but we need to know what's going on there . Military should support the media and protect them so, all the people in world should know about it .