Food for thought

Journalists are traders after all.

It's not who has the best story that gets the front page -or make it to the outlet at all-, but who sells the story better. Airbrushed bullshit! I really hate it.

But there's still hope. And it's an interesting choice of words as well, there's still hope in a still (picture). Today a great photographer (and great person as well) came to our International News class and for the first time in a while I had the vibe that being a journalist might mean something. That we, as journalists, might do some good for this world. His swearing-prone temper won me over immediately. His disruptive enthusiasm for the job was not sickening like someone else's enthusiasm for a bomb explosion. He told us quite plainly that war is full of nasty stuff and who enjoys those kind of stuff is a bit fucked-up in the head.

He was humble and naif enough to tell us (and I'm quoting here) that he still thinks he can change the world. A sort of campaigning journalism, if you want. A definitely not lazy, on the ground journalism. He had his reasons, his principles and morals to do what he does. He was frank enough to tell us which side he stands for ("If somebody punches me in the face, I'll punch him back and beat him until he doesn't want to punch me anymore"). He told us he drew a line between what is right and what is wrong and he sticks to it. He was critical and independent enough to open our eyes on certain details on today's media battles and propaganda, despite his lack of formal education. "And lacking education doesn't mean not being smart," he said. A photoreporter that not only showed us good takes and effective storytelling, but showed us commitment, understanding and passion. Passion not for a trade, but for people and their stories. A true combative journalist that went for the not-so-easy route to get the never-seen-before story! Loved it! And much much needed it!

Check him out: John D McHugh