The Truth Shall Set You Free: Journalists\u27 Addiction to Truth in the Face of Danger

As maligned as they may be at times, journalists are constantly relied upon for information. Everyday, people watch television, read newspapers, and browse articles on the internet about dangerous events happening throughout the world. It is journalists’ responsibility to bring this news to their readers. However, many stories come with a very high price. In order to report on the things that are most important to society - things that are also usually the most dangerous -journalists are forced to put themselves in the line of fire to deliver the story. The question that this thesis strives to answer is why. Why do journalists put themselves in danger for stories? Why do they feel that the risk of being hurt - or even dying - is worth it? I endeavored to answer these questions through studying journalists and their feelings about why the risk is worth the cost. After a while, a common thread began to emerge. No matter the background of the journalists or the areas they covered, all were compelled to act by a singular goal: the truth