By Fr. Shay Cullen, Founder since 1974
Journalism is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world, so why, then, would anyone want to be in it, especially nowadays? Many journalists are harassed, threatened, beaten and even killed for reporting the truth.
Most journalists have a love of the truth. They believe that by researching, verifying and reporting the truth about current events or matters of great importance, this would enlighten, inspire and motivate their audience — and even the government — to make positive and informed decisions to help others. Journalists hope and believe that their work may bring about positive change in the lives of their families and society at large, and influence the government to do good and oppose wrongdoing.
Their commitment is based on the belief that people in a democracy have a fundamental right to know the truth, especially when it comes to public issues and elections. They should know what is right, good, true and beneficial, and what is not. They should be informed if a candidate is corrupt or a potential tyrant, or a person of honesty and integrity.
People also have a right to know how best to protect their families and the environment. They must be informed about hazardous situations, like water or food pollution, and about dangers to health. Informing the public is a commitment to public service — to help the community — and that is what true journalists do.
Journalists have an obligation to unearth the truth and expose corruption, abuses of power, and injustices and present these to those in authority, many of whom prefer to keep these hidden. This is called “speaking truth to power,” and it can be very dangerous. The goal of true journalists is not to shame or embarrass any person or group, but to work for positive transformation in society and inspire collective action for social justice and equality. Exposing corruption is one important way to protect the public from poverty, exploitation and other social evils.
Dedicated journalists reveal human tragedies and expose crimes against humanity to stop such evils, as well as hold perpetrators to account and save and protect victims. This kind of truth-telling is an ethical responsibility. It makes professional journalists essential to the world, so that truth can be known and acted upon. Many journalists have suffered because of their dedication to their profession.
The freedom to speak, write, or record events that affect the public must be treated with great respect, understanding and compassion. This is especially true when interviewing victims and reporting tragedies. The reporters have to maintain their integrity and independence and never receive gifts or rewards so as to be faithful to their commitment to report without “fear or favor.” This is an exercise in accountability, and they need to be transparent, open and skilled in making ethical choices. If they do make an honest mistake, they must admit and correct it without fail. Journalists lead dangerous lives, and many of them have sacrificed themselves in reporting the truth. Few countries are safe for journalists where there is conflict.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted the growing threats to journalists and the media on World Freedom Day on May 3. “When attacks on the media are normalized, freedom itself begins to decay, and with it, the foundations of peace, security, and sustainable development,” he said.
He also paid tribute to the courageous reporters and photographers across the world “who document horrific atrocities, expose corruption, and scrutinize business operations.” He added that “journalism today has become an insecure and, at times, dangerous profession,” as its practitioners have been “bombed in their cars, abducted from their offices, silenced behind bars, and dismissed from their jobs.”
Türk also said the war in Gaza had become a “death trap” for the media, with his office verifying that nearly 300 journalists have been killed since October 2023.
The toll on frontline journalists globally has been horrific. In 2025 alone, as many as 129 journalists were killed. That same year, about 533 others were imprisoned, most of them in China. This year, 14 journalists were killed so far. The deadliest conflict zone is in Gaza; in 2025, alone, between 60 and 86 Palestinian journalists were slain, mostly in Israeli airstrikes. The second most dangerous is Mexico, where nine journalists were killed last year, with most for reporting on organized crime and political corruption.
The Philippines is one of the deadliest countries in Southeast Asia for journalists, with 147 killed since 1986. The only year no journalist was killed was 2024. When journalists are harassed and threatened by the government and forced to flee their country, they do not always find a safe haven. Agents from Russia, China and Iran, among others, track and harass journalists in exile. These agents have almost complete impunity in doing so, and this encourages them to continue. There is no way to stop them.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is the world’s largest organization of media professionals. IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:
“Every attack on a media professional is an attack aimed at silencing a story intended to inform citizens. The deplorable state of press freedom across the world must mobilize each and every one of us. Through journalists, it is our readers, our listeners, who are being targeted — prevented from making informed decisions. Our journalistic right to inform is also the public’s right to be informed. It is equally up to citizens to mobilize to protect this right by holding their governments to account. We need laws that protect the right to information, guarantee the independence and pluralism of the media, ban the use of spyware and all forms of surveillance, regulate the use of artificial intelligence and combat the systemic impunity of those who violate press freedom. It is time to act. Together.”
All of us must stand to defend the right to freedom of expression.
