Highest Rated Comments


Caroljourno58 karma

Thanks! To be honest, there are days I ask myself the same question. So far, no. Because the need to keep giving people the truth and the facts increases every day.

Caroljourno44 karma

Thank you Duke_Paul. Being a female journalist is not particularly worse, but perhaps harder. I hope that makes sense. Most of the journalists who are beaten, jailed, have their equipment destroyed are men. However, fewer women are given the opportunity to cover the hard-hitting stories. I believe this is for two reasons, one - because many women who come to the newsroom are made/groomed to believe their place is in doing the softer stories and features so by default they hardly get to do the hard stories; two - even when they get to that place, the editors fear for their safety and prefer a man covers such stories.

My friends and family are mostly proud that I do this work. They however get nervous during the periods when there is clear animosity by the state towards the media, especially our media house. They ask me to be safe and not to do anything that would "get me into trouble".

Caroljourno39 karma

Thanks cahaseler! We now know which stories are difficult to report, those where the state is particularly interested, especially where Opposition members have a big following. In the recent past, reporting on by-elections or events where big Opposition members are involved has seen reporters being beaten, cameras being taken away and photographers asked to delete their photos, as well as reporters being put in the coolers for a few hours or days. This affects the reporters in two ways; either they have even more resolve to do the reporting or in a few instances, they withdraw from reporting on a particular beat.

Sometimes we find ourselves using a softer tone or leaving out certain content because putting that content in might see your reporters summoned to the police station or getting a call from ministers asking you to "do something about it."

Caroljourno36 karma

The challenges include having equipment like cameras destroyed by the security organs, being jailed for "being in the wrong place at the wrong time", as well as having our media house shut down. I have not quite come to the point of fearing for my life, yet.

The difficult stories have been many, including publishing those of facts found of corrupt leaders. Interestingly, publishing stories about companies that are in trouble or have had corrupt practices can also be tricky because they will then pull advertising out. You have to take a deep breath, count the costs and do it.

Caroljourno32 karma

I believe I would be welcomed in the West, as long as I had all my documents in order. But no, I would not leave the country. The tougher it gets, the more I realise I need to keep doing my job because many more people do not have the opportunity I have or the knowledge. It is important that we keep feeding them with what they need to know.

Plus I really do love my country despite it's flaws. It is a beautiful place to live in.