As the world stands on the brink of what could be the most dangerous war ever, there is one question facing those of us in the news media: How far should a journalist go to get the story? With rogue groups in parts of the world appearing to regard journalists as legitimate targets, the inherently unsafe news business is getting even more dangerous. Journalists increasingly are finding themselves on the receiving end of the worst types of violence.
The past year has been one of the most testing years the profession has ever endured. Journalists are being killed at an unacceptable and unprecedented rate. They are doing a professional job but are being viewed as representatives of their native countries' governments.
Gone are the days when journalism was looked upon as a sacred profession. Indeed, some say journalists now are more likely to be killed in the line of duty than members of the armed forces are.