SYRIA: The Deadliest Country for Journalists
“To hold a pen is to be at war” Voltaire.
Written by: Sarah Abed (The Rabbit Hole) July 13th, 2017
Published on Global Research and American Herald Tribune July 14th 2017
Journalists have been targeted in war zones for decades. “Local and foreign correspondents were among the first detainees of the victorious Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in 1975. Western journalists, and even those who sought to free them, were held hostage for years during Lebanon’s civil war in the 1980s, and dozens of reporters in Latin America have been grabbed by paramilitaries or drug cartels.” Robert Mahoney CPJ/Deputy Director
But the sheer scale of the problem since the Arab uprisings is unprecedented, according to CPJ data. Of the 227 journalists killed globally since 2011, one-third died covering Syria.
Image Credit: Committee to Protect Journalists
More than in any other war in recent history, a highly-funded, well-coordinated propaganda campaign has fueled the aggressive interventionist invasion in Syria. Mainstream media has led entire populations of people, especially in the West into supporting a foreign created and imported war on a sovereign nation, that prior to this invasion did not have any of the issues that exist today.
War propaganda has lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths in Syria, and millions of refugees, and billions in losses due to infrastructure being destroyed. The fact that well-meaning people will support such a devious, deadly, unrighteous, harmful and illegal war without even questioning the motives behind, the key players, the amount of suffering and damage it has caused is both disheartening and outrageous.
It has also lead to a significant number of journalists being kidnapped and killed while reporting on the ground. As a result, many fake activists have taken over social media and mainstream media. They have risen to fame under the guise of being truthful citizen reporters who just want the world to see the misery that the “regime” is putting them through. They are in fact paid mouthpieces for the opposition and armed terrorist groups. They have strong connections with Anti-Assad media and are the darlings of mainstream media news such as CNN, BBC, and AlJazeera. They are eager to have them on, give them airtime to spew their scripted narratives and convince a slew of people that the Syrian Army, Russian Army, and the Syrian government are committing atrocities against civilians. Of course, these media outlets take everything they say as the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them, God. They do not question nor do they debate. They will, however, push a story and make it into a headline and that is how propaganda is bought and sold to the masses.
However, they will not afford that same attention, time, or respect for independent journalists that do not follow the demonization script. They will altogether ignore them and pretend like they do not exist. It’s really quite cynical.
It's imperative that we take whatever action necessary to get people out of this submissive trance that they are under, and free them from the chains of their own cognitive dissonance, which they have been placed under by the government, educational system, marketing, media etc. for far too long.
Robert Mahoney/CPJ Deputy Director wrote an article about journalist beheadings in Syria reigniting a debate over risk and safety for freelancers. In it, he said “now that the initial wave of revulsion at the beheading of two young journalists has passed, the international media is wringing its hands and asking how it can spare others the heartbreak of the families of U.S. journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff. In talking with freelance and staff journalists, and editors, it’s clear that the murders have rekindled the debate about safety and responsibility in the news business.”
“Once you are kidnapped in Syria it’s a completely black hole you’re never going to come out of,”Nicole Tung, a freelance photographer who worked with James Foley, said.
Janine di Giovanni, who has been covering conflict for multiple outlets since the Balkan war, agreed that journalists were being increasingly targeted, especially for kidnap.
“The freelancers I am concerned about are the freelancers who are really out there and off the grid… who have a string of people they work for, you know, but aren’t in constant contact with their editors, aren’t getting backing, have to buy their own flak jackets, have to rent their own satellite phone, don’t have anyone looking after them,” she said.
This is done in an effort to silence the truth. The most dangerous weapon against a mass media campaign is the truth.
You can read the full length article here https://sarahabed.com/2017/07/13/syria-killing-journalists-enabled-fake-media-activist-domination-in-msm/
It seems this is your first post on steemit. So first of all welcome to the community. And what a start... really enjoyed your style not so much the content, because it is so sad. So sad that people are tricked into those wars just so some rich fucks or pussies get even richer. Millions of people suffer. I always had a dream to have a take on conflict photography, and i have a huge respect for the people that risk their lives to shed some light on the events. But my balls probably were never big enough or a death wish not that great because what these guys are doing there to get the news to the rest of the world is heroic. You got yourself a follower. Keep writing, you are good at it.
Thank you! Yes, it's my first day on steemit. Still trying to learn the ins and outs. I appreciate your feedback. Most of my articles are about war, politics, propaganda, exposing corruption etc. So expect quite a bit of raw, unadulterated, unfiltered facts and a good amount of ugly truth. The topics I focus on are pretty dark and might make some people uncomforterable at first but it's so crucial for everyone to understand what is really going on. These manufactured wars are costing many people their lives and need to end. I will follow you back. Thanks again.
And manufactured mainstream media news. But nobody will be able to censor you here, so bring it on! I will be alright with crude. You have probably noticed that i am not the most fussy person myself too. So all is good. Keep posting, i will keep reading.
Let me ask you this, since you were kind enough to comment. This is actually an abbreviated version of my article. I took out about 3/4ths of it. Is it ok to put a link to my original article at the bottom of my post? For those who want to read more, instead of me putting the entire article here?
Sure, as long as it is your own original content. And even then you are ok to re-post if you indicate the source explicitly. But from what i have learned, i am on steemit for over a week myself, original content is valued more.
Great thank you!
Oh, and do not waste your Voting Power on a first day. It regenerates 20% a day, and i can not get mine up as i keep voting. Google more about what Voting Power is before diminishing it all as it takes approx 5 days to recharge to 100% once depleted.
Oh... so there's a limit. Thank you for telling me. You've been so helpful. I'll look into it.
Well technically no. You can vote as many times as you want, but with every consecutive vote the reward you are giving is diminishing until it goes to zero. But you can still keep voting. The reward also depends on few other factors like Steam Power you have, and etc etc.. it's quite a steep learning curve here, but once you get over it makes sense. There is nothing that can damage your account long term really. Well giving away your private key is :) You'll get it, i even i did :)
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Hah found it lol , excellent piece of work your off to a great start upvote from me and followed !
Thank you! I am still trying to figure it out. This is actually an abbreviated version of my article. I took out about 3/4ths of it. Is it ok to put a link to my original article at the bottom of my post? For those who want to read more, instead of me putting the entire thing here?
yes you can , you can also add your website ,
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I'm shocked to hear how many journalists have been killed in Syria. 80-100 since 2011?! Incredible and very sad.
It makes me reflect on the two instances of US state-sponsored propaganda regarding chemical weapon use in Syria and how the powers that be would rather those have not been exposed as shams.
You're absolutely right. Telling the truth carries a very heavy price. I apologize I thought I had responded to your comment earlier.