The Courage of the Press

The horrific story of four journalists from The New York Times held captive in Libya underscores a brutal fact: Reporters and photographers place their lives on the line to deliver news and context so necessary for all of us to understand our world. To those who deride the “lamestream media,” we suggest a careful reading of Anthony Shadid, Lynsey Addario, Stephen Farrell and Tyler Hicks’s ordeal. Or note the work of the Committee to Protect Journalists, which estimates that there have been more than 60 attacks on journalists in Libya alone this year, including two fatalities.

The professionalism and courage of these journalists helps keep us all free.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forward. Discover more perspectives in Opinion. To contact Opinion authors, email [email protected].

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