One of the most dangerous jobs today is journalism. Uncovering the hidden secrets in international affairs and releasing groundbreaking stories has had serious consequences. In America, journalists are extremely unlikely to be killed or jailed as a result of their work. In other countries, however, journalists can be kidnapped, tortured and murdered in the attempt to uncover the truth.

Sadly, the death of a journalist isn’t uncommon–by questioning the accepted facts and revealing the truth over dozens of journalists are murdered each year. In the United States, those who reveal corruption are rewarded with prizes. In other countries where terrorism is prominent or, problems in society are not legally freely discussed, the consequence can be as drastic as a bullet to the head. Good journalists participate in the fight for freedom and social reforms, not turning their heads when problems occur, to unveil the curtain masking these problems.

 “Journalists are being caught in a terror dynamic, in which they are threatened by nonstate actors who target them and governments that restrict civil liberties including press freedom in the name of fighting terror,” said Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, regarding the risks of journalism. 

The students of Whitman High School, too, see the detrimental reactions to journalists speaking the truth. A fellow classmate, Nicole Algerie, spoke out about the dangers of journalism.

 “It is so sad that other countries do not have the freedom of speech like here in America. I can not believe the a number of journalists killed just trying to report the truth.” 

The journalists of the world wonder if the fight for truth is worth risking their lives, and choose every day to continue risking it by releasing a story or deciding to play it safe.

Looking back on 2015, it has been one of the most dangerous years for journalists with over 100 journalists died. Nineteen were killed covering the activities of the Kurdistan region, according to a press release by the IPI. Thirteen out of the 19 deaths of journalists were caused by ISIS. 

Most of the deaths were intentional killings of journalists who attempted to reveal the truth. In December 2015, journalist Ursula Gauthier was booted out of China after she wrote an essay on the Chinese government’s terrorizing rhetoric. The reason she was kicked out was that she was “emboldening terrorism” and “no longer suitable for the job.” 

In Ethiopia, two journalists were jailed and forced to say they were collaborating with terrorists. In November 2015, two journalists were arrested in Turkey on charges of assisting terrorists and were forced to make confessions. 

One of the most dangerous groups in the world is ISIS, and they release exorbitant amounts of propaganda giving off the image that what they’re doing is good. The journalists who expose ISIS’s cruel activities damage this reputation. One group of journalists in Raqqa are now being hunted down by ISIS. These brave men and women are using the greatest weapon possible the truth to take down ISIS, risking their lives in the process.

Sweeping secrets under the carpet doesn’t make them go away, and censorship is not protecting the people. Journalists risk their lives and face perilous situations to reveal the truth, one of the greatest weapons possible.