Many of my friends asked me recently how I handle the constant attacks, judgements and labels placed on me in the media, so here is my answer: My philosophy on life has always been, Be like the flower that gives its fragrance even to the hand that crushes it. And never have I been tested by this philosophy than during my career as a journalist. Working in the media, Ive been taught to have thick skin because of how much we as journalists have to put ourselves out there and as a result are judged intensely. Without thick skin, you will not survive. As journalists, we are constantly under the microscope, criticised, attacked and labeled. When we challenge the narrative of establishment news, whether its about national or international policies, we are accused of having some sort of agenda or being backed by some sort of special interest, we are quickly labeled to discredit us and our civic reporting. Many of you know of my experience with this, when we challenged the official govt narrative as to why Obama insisted on attacking Syria last year, I was labeled as pro-Assad even though Im openly anti-interventionist, anto-war and know that we dont simply bomb countries to save them. And especially as women journalists, many times, those judgements are not about our actual work but about what were wearing, what we look like and how assertive or strong we appear to be, it comes down to misogony. But what Ive learned, is that these labels which are placed on us and judgements which are made against us are really just a tool to distract us, weaken us and eventually silence us from spreading the truth. We threaten those in power. As I reflect about the real impact Im trying to make as a journalist in spreading awareness of the corruption that exists in this world, these attacks and labels seem petty, at the end of the day. In fact they are a badge of honor, and I wear it proud even more, everytime someone attempts to silence us through character assassinations, we should use this an opportunity to push the truthut event harder. We must find that moral courage within ourselves and ask what were willing to risk or sacrifice for the sake of truth, for the sake of justice, and for the sake of peace. The lesson in all of this is when we are attacked, are we patient and disciplined enough to be like that flower that gives its fragrance to even the hand that crushes it? If you are patient enough to do this, youd be suprised to how much this kindness you display actually silences the attacks made on to you and discredits them. Im not saying be silent to attacks made on you, but rather react with patience, kindness, respect and wise words that will further your cause.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 17:41:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015