It’s time to protect journalists who risk their lives to report the news

By Caroline Little

Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 | 2:03 a.m.

Journalists like to tell the story. They do not like to become the story.

Unfortunately, during the past several months, journalists have been thrust into the spotlight under tragic circumstances. Around the world, journalists are putting themselves in harm’s way to report on important stories, and, sadly, the results have been horrific.

In August, the gruesome and senseless murder of James Foley stunned the world. His death was a vivid and painful reminder of the risks journalists take when reporting from conflict zones. Since 2011, 66 journalists have died in Syria alone and 30 others are missing, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. This is not acceptable.

Only a few weeks after Foley’s death, we were shocked and appalled again by the murder of journalist Steven Sotloff. As with Foley, a video showed the beheading of Sotloff, the second American journalist killed by the Islamic State.

The murders remind us of the dangers journalists face in seeking the truth and reporting those truths to us. Reporting from the front lines, they shed light on the darkness of war.

If there is anything good that comes from these tragic and brutal murders, it is the hope they will further raise awareness about the importance of protecting journalists and freedom of the press. These are the men and women who ensure the public knows what’s happening in their neighborhoods and around the globe.

Foley and Sotloff lost their lives because they believed finding and delivering the truth was worth the enormous risk. We will never forget their contributions to the public’s knowledge and the craft of journalism.

This month, Foley will be honored at a service on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. His family announced the launch of the James W. Foley Legacy Fund to preserve his legacy and promote his ideals among future generations. The fund will seek to aid American journalists from conflict zones and contribute to quality educational opportunities for urban youths.

While these horrific acts of violence have drawn enormous attention, there are still many journalists at risk on a daily basis. In August, we lauded the fact that American journalist Peter Theo Curtis was released from captivity. However, we must remember he was kidnapped and kept in Syria for nearly two years.

This spring, two reporters — Anja Niedringhaus of The Associated Press and Nils Horner of Sveriges Radio — were killed in Afghanistan. In April, the Newspaper Association of America endorsed an Inter American Press Association resolution condemning the violation of human rights in Venezuela, where more than 100 reporters have been arrested, threatened or the victims of violence this year.

These examples serve as sobering reminders of the world we live in and the great lengths journalists go to report on the news.

They believe, as I do, that the free flow of information is a key tenant of democracy and freedom. Without a proper understanding of what is going on, we cannot vote, make sense of the world events or hold leaders accountable.

To maintain this freedom, we must prioritize protecting our courageous journalists and their news-gathering processes — both abroad and at home.

As a nation, we are collectively focused on responding to these terrorist threats and protecting those abroad, as we should be. But, we must not forget to protect our journalists on the homefront as well.

The free flow of information by journalists gives the public the opportunity and responsibility to understand their communities, their country and the world. And with that, the power to shape them. At NAA, we have been fighting for a media shield law, known as the Free Flow of Information Act. The bill sailed through the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support last year but has yet to receive a full vote on the Senate floor.

It’s time for Americans to prioritize our courageous journalists and our right to know. We must protect journalists and honor those journalists who are killed, missing, threatened or held in captivity. It is critical for our democracy.

Caroline Little is president and CEO of the Newspaper Association of America.