Is Journalism Too Dangerous?

Students worry about the safety of their future professionby Denisse MorenoDuring the recent upheaval in the Middle East over the past month, journalists have been pulled into the fray. The most recent and alarming incident involved CBS reporter Lara Logan (pictured here), who was beaten and sexually assaulted during the uprising in Egypt. "It is an unfortunate event," says Kimberly Lewis, an English major who is also studying journalism in CCNY. Despite her enthusiasm for the profession, "No matter what the story is I will not risk my safety," says Lewis, 42.Lewis is not the only journalism student concerned about dangerous incidents that journalists may confront.According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, five journalists have been killed this year and 850 journalists have died on the job since 1992. The organization also notes that 145 journalists have been imprisoned worldwide. According to CPJ.org, the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia made them two of the most deadly countries for journalists in 2011, accompanied by the Philippines, Vietnam and Pakistan."Being a journalist has always been dangerous in countries that are undergoing violent conflicts and during war," says Linda Villarosa, a former New York Times editor and reporter and director of the CCNY journalism program. "Journalists have been threatened, injured and killed in countries like Mexico, Colombia and also here in the United States even before the Middle East uprisings. Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and be-headed by Al-Qaeda. So what has happened recently is sad but not unheard of."Many journalism students say they will not let the dangerous deter them. "I think it's exciting," says Ad/PR major, Christian Haag, 31, who also plans to minor in journalism. "I think it'll be like living on the edge; there's just some risk involved."Adam Reyes, 20, says he will continue to focus on his assignments, while also being cautious. "In the back of my mind I'll be concerned about my safety," says the studio art student who is also interested in photojournalism.Krysanya Johnson, an Ad/PR major who is taking a Reporting and Writing course, claims that she's not scared now. "Maybe when I go overseas I'll be scared," says Johnson, 23.Others say they will avoid dangerous environments in general. "I have a child," says Patricia McGuire, an adult student specializing in public health and nedia. "I wouldn't put myself in danger."Sums up Villarosa: "I assume that most of those who graduate from CCNY as journalism minors won't be doing the kind of reporting that puts them in harm's way," she says. "But some may. So all journalists must take precautions when working in volatile areas on controversial stories."