Is Journalism Worth Dying For__ Final Dispatches - Anna Politkovskaya [3]
Today a journalist who is not on side is an outcast. I have never sought my present pariah status and it makes me feel like a beached dolphin. I am no political infighter.
I will not go into the other joys of the path I have chosen: the poisoning, the arrests, the menacing by mail and over the Internet, the telephoned death threats. The main thing is to get on with my job, to describe the life I see, to receive visitors every day in our newspaper’s offices who have nowhere else to bring their troubles, because the Kremlin finds their stories off-message. The only place they can be aired is in our newspaper, Novaya gazeta.
What am I guilty of? I have merely reported what I witnessed, nothing but the truth.
Published in a special issue of Soyuz zhurnalistov, October 26, 2006
1. Should Lives Be Sacrificed to Journalism?
A QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE “TERRITORY OF GLASNOST” PROJECT
Circulated to journalists, editors, and columnists of Novaya gazeta.
Surname and first name, or pen-name: Politkovskaya, Anna.
Topic of specialisation: Anything of interest to our readers.
Your professional credo, or motto: What matters is the information, not what you think about it.
What is your first priority as a journalist? To provide as much information as possible.
What do you think about the times you live in, the people, the country? The people are remarkable; the country is Soviet; the times are another Time of Troubles.
What do you find most difficult to write about (and which story most illustrates that)? Our times.
What do you most enjoy writing about (and story)? People.
Why and for whom are you doing your work? For people, and for the sake of people.
How do you rate the work of those in power today who take decisions at the highest level and shape Russia’s reputation both inside Russia and abroad (the President, government, judiciary, parliamentary deputies, and business elite)? Management of the state is extremely inefficient.
How do you rate the willingness of people to regard themselves as representatives of civil society and to engage in open dialogue with the state authorities? Not highly. There is too much fear in society and too little idealism.
How do you rate the level of democracy and independence of the press? What do you think is happening in Russia to freedom of speech, and where do you personally obtain reliable information (not as a professional, but as a user)? Freedom of speech is on its last legs. I only trust information 100 per cent if I have obtained it myself.
What recent events do you consider to have been a landmark for yourself, the country, and society (positive or negative)? For the country, the occupation of Ingushetia; for society, the same; for myself, the same.
What do you see as the main problems facing Russian society? The fact that most people think it will never happen to them.
What qualities most impress you, and which most disappoint you, in public figures and ordinary people? (Give examples if possible.) I admire openness and sincerity. I am nauseated by lying and people who think they are cunning.
Which politicians, economists, people in the arts and culture, and also private citizens could you nominate for Person of the Year, Hero of Our Times, or as iconic personalities in present-day Russia? There are no heroes in sight. If we had one he would stop the war.
How do you rate the quality of life in Russia? What factors should be taken into account? Very low. The number of poor people is enormous and that is a disgrace.
What can and should people (society), politicians, officials (the state), and journalists do to improve the quality of life in Russia? Journalists should write; politicians should make a fuss and not wallow in luxury; and officials should not steal from poor people.
FSB OFFICERS CARRY OUT ANOTHER OF THEIR SPECIAL OPERATIONS AGAINST NOVAYA GAZETA
The Editorial Team of Novaya gazeta
February 28, 2002
As special operations go, this was a pretty dismal effort. For technical competence