The Case for Protecting and Promoting Voices in 2025
Family and friends bid farewell to two journalists: Hamza Al-Dahdouh, and Mustafa Thuraya, in Rafah, Gaza, January 2024. Photo Credit: Ahmad Hasaballah
On Monday, August 25, an Israeli airstrike hit Nasser Hospital in Gaza, killing 20 people. Among them were five journalists working for Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al Jazeera.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, over 240 journalists and media workers have been killed, a reminder of how dangerous, yet necessary, telling the truth is in 2025.
“The role of journalists is very important because without their images, the world would not have seen the extent of the destruction and war on Gaza,” said Majdy Fathi, a photojournalist from Gaza City.
As a student journalist, I do not face the same risks as war correspondents. When I sit down to write, I am not met with the sound of air raid sirens. But even within the walls of my home or The Critograph newsroom, I can feel the weight of what it means to be a journalist and the responsibility I have in every word I write.
Journalism gives a voice to the voiceless and holds those in power accountable.
Around the world, journalists are risking their lives to document atrocities, expose corruption, and provide truth in a sea of propaganda and misinformation. Without the work of journalists, history would be rewritten by those who benefit from ignorance.
Journalism isn’t only essential in warzones and courtrooms; it matters in our own communities, too. Local news outlets, such as The News & Advance here in Lynchburg, as well as our very own student newspaper, The Critograph, play a vital role in bringing important issues to light and holding institutions accountable.
Despite being deeply ingrained in our society, journalism continues to face challenges. Reporters around the world are targeted, not only through violence, but through censorship, surveillance, and restrictions on what they can and can not report. As authoritarianism grows more prevalent, journalists are often the first to be targeted, because those in power know that whoever controls the narrative ultimately controls the people.
This is also evident in our local communities, as news organizations shut down or significantly downsize, leaving many with limited or no access to credible reporting.
At the same time, misinformation thrives across both traditional and social media, deepening confusion and eroding public trust in journalism, leaving many uninformed about what is actually happening around them.
As a student journalist, I have seen this mistrust firsthand. When people dismiss an article as “biased” because they disagree with its content, or when administrators dodge questions rather than prioritizing transparency, the impact extends far beyond a single article. If people stop believing in journalism, they stop believing in accountability.
This is why journalism matters. While our newsroom may be small compared to The New York Times, the stories we write, the conversations we spark, and the decisions we impact are anything but small.
The deaths of journalists in Gaza should serve as a constant reminder of how much the pursuit of truth can cost. We owe it to them to ensure that journalism everywhere is defended and allowed to thrive.
As a student journalist, I know my stories will not topple governments or end wars. I also know that if voices like mine and my peers fall silent, we lose something vital: the truth.
Journalism is not perfect, but it is indispensable.
