19th July, 2012...

So, yesterday was a very unique day in the rambunctious life of one Miss RKT. I took part in a simulation program held by a non-profit organization which I will refer to as organization X. What simulation basically entails is creating a make-believe disaster scenario in order for trainee volunteer workers to gain first-hand experience of what actually happens in real disasters. The storyline in this case was that there was a certain Islam-dominated country that was bombarded with internal civil unrest, thus many had to flee and seek refuge in another country, which on the other hand was largely Christian. This is where my colleagues and I came in. We were acting as refugees in this neighboring country; Organization X stepped in to offer relief aid in terms of food and medical services.

The role I was assigned was to act as a heavily expectant woman who was in pain and on the brink of giving birth. In the same "clinic" in which I was stationed, there were those who had been shot, others brutally raped while the rest had an array of serious wounds and diseases, most of which were communicable.
Acting out this part gave us all a somewhat flimsy depiction of how it felt to be a refugee. The hospital for one, was understaffed, ill-equipped and countless journalists came to interview us, some with little regard for our pain and only selfishly aiming to get a story to tell the world. It was a bit scary at first-getting into character, but as soon as I got the hang of it, it seemed to be a walk in the park. At some point I remember feeling so helpless as I shouted and screamed for help, yet no one seemed to care. Sadly, that's the situation in many refugee camps and even in hospitals in our society today.

Nevertheless, we had a debriefing session with the Communication Directors and they congratulated us on making the scenario seem so real and bringing to life in a vivid yet humane way. In turn, we got to give them feedback regarding how the journalists and volunteer workers behaved, which we did explicitly and in a candid fashion.
All the same, when the day came to a close, I was tired beyond reason but let my mind wander a bit as I reflected on the day's events. The main thing that struck me was in regard to ethics in journalism and the extent to which our very own journalists uphold them. A quick look at the papers today (figuratively) reveals just how little regard many journalists have for humanity and ethics in general. Grisly images showing human beings like you and I in dire need, grace the media a little too often. Some justify this argument by claiming that it is their obligation to show the world the situation as it is. It is indeed true that the first obligation a journalist has is to the truth, then to the citizens. However, other considerations should be put into play;for instance, if a photo is to be published, showing an accident and seriously injured people, how is the family of the affected person supposed to feel? Furthermore, when people have been bereaved, we sometimes get to see journalists rushing to ask questions in a bid to get a story for their bulletins; in spite of the shock and trauma a person may be undergoing.

This reminds me of a journalist, who sometime back took a picture showing a thin, emaciated and malnourished child, with a voluptuous vulture behind the child. That image moved the world to tears, but sadly the child was eaten was eaten by the monstrous scavenger. Subsequently, many poured out their solidarity and support to those dying of hunger, while others criticized the journalist and asserted that as a human being, he should have helped the child out first and foremost. Needless to say, his conscience must have eaten him up inside, as he subsequently ended up taking his own life.
Issues revolving around ethics and media still continue to be argued time and again. However, before one makes any ethical/moral decision, the following considerations (which I picked up from my ethics class) must be made:

-Study the details, understand them and get the facts right.
-What are the relevant obligations?
-What are the values involved?
-What are the possible consequences; i.e. who is likely to be affected and how.

When all said and done, my advice to you is to exercise ethics in your decisions, profession and everyday life. Let us make this society a better place to live in for ourselves and the generations to come.

A person educated in mind and not in morals is a menace to society
-Juanita Kidd Stout