Impartiality does not dehumanise people and forbid them from asserting their rights to their profession. If there is a semblance of press freedom in some banana republics of the world today, it is because some journalists dared to fight for it. I would fight for my right to practice my profession, any time anywhere, without fear or favour.

Journalists are by definition free expression activists . online online

El periodista tiene un compromiso con la sociedad en la que vive, la democracia y los derechos humanos. Debe actuar pensando en el bien general de las personas, y por lo mismo debe tomar una posición respecto a situaciones, actuaciones de autoridades y problemas que vive los habitantes de su país, región, comuna o localidad.
Ser periodista y tener miedo a expresarse es el primer atentado en contra de la libertad de expresión y que perjudica el desarrollo natural de la sociedad.
La imparcialidad es un compromiso por el bienestar de la totalidad y no actuar por intereses personales o mezquinos de grupos o personas, la objetividad se refiere a la fidelidad a los hechos y fuentes, sin caer en la tergiversación y el engaño. La credibilidad de un periodista reside en la consecuencia de sus dichos y hechos, como aborda los temas y el profesionalismo, sin caer en la indolencia respecto a los problemas que sus semejantes deben enfrentar, aportar a mejorar la calidad de vida, aportar a soluciones, y problematizar y cuestionar las decisiones de quienes detentan el poder sin miramientos al bien común.

True journalism practice is an activist profession. Any journalist understands that he operates in the public interest and that the ruling class will always attempt to interfere in his operation. In order to protect this delicate function within a democracy, the journalist must be ready to fight any infringement on the right of freedom of expression and other such rights that could curtain their performances. This does not necessarily make him to be biased in his practice or prevent him from speaking truth to power.

Sola Isola
Ibadan, Nigeria

A journalist can not be denied the right to participate. At times and in cases, when he is silenced in his own country, wrongly expulsed and dicredited by the State authorities, the new way open today is the use of Internet from another country. In some cases that is comparable to a duty, not only professionally but also ethically, morally, even legally. That is quite evidently the case, if for instance the IFJ do not ansver questions about the legality of a silencing, of an expulsion and of the silent acquiescense of the national federations controlled by the State or party interests.

Penttijuhani Jarvinen
ex from Finland

Who is the 'voice of the voiceless'? Can journalism actually flourish or be truly practiced in an environment where freedom of expression is suppressed? How vast is the difference between the freedom to publish [freedom of the press] and those of expression [to hold opinion and express same freely]? A journalist fighting a system to ensure freedom of expression is not an activist, s/he could be in that role though, s/he is only ensuring that access to information and the public right to know are upheld; these are the basics for sound journalism. However, I think people or journalists who publish half truths, out right lies and defame others' character should not be protected or shielded under the canopy of freedom of expression or press. Those who enjoy freedom of the press and expression are charged with hefty responsibility of telling a balanced truth. Where a doubt crops, a court of competent jurisdiction, not of a corrupt, tyrannical regime or politically controlled system, is the final arbiter. This way freedom is always protected.

Cheechiay Jablasone
Delaware, USA
Liberian Journalist

Of course! Journalism at its best of expressing truth is real activism. One in a coin! Without one, the other is nothing. Not all journalists, though, are activists and free expressionists!

Some international media organizations are going to humiliate the independent Somali journalists who are working hell circumstances and lack of payment

So, can we say journalists are free to be activists?

Thanks
Abdikarin Ahmed
Somalia

سلام من دانشجوی ترم 1 روزنامه نگاری هستم یکی منو اگه میشه راهنمایی کنه

If journalists have to choose between 1) being silent and safe from personal harm, and 2) speaking out to enhancing their community at risk to themselves, it is a tragic situation. This is what we have in many parts of the world.

Anonymous speech allows the journalist to sidestep this choice and do the right thing. Digital technology is a godsend. But anonymity is weak in the internet world though it appears strong.

At least in some parts of asia this puts activists, journalists and bloggers under repression. For example the cases reported here http://bit.ly/2HrCZb

Laws need to be harmonized for all of cyberspace. When outdated laws are being dragged over to cyberspace it is usually a sign of some disease that lurks below.

سلام :
فقط در شرایط می توان از اوبی به دلیل خروج از اصول بی طرفی روزنامه نگاری ایراد گرفت که مجامع و مراکزی جهت کنترل حاکمیت وجود داشته باشد . درغیر اینصورت کنشگر سیاسی یا اجتماعی بودن یک روزنامه نگار به یکی از اصول بلاشک او بدل می شود . یک روزنامه نگار قبل از بی طرفی وظیفه آگاه نمودن جامعه در قبال حقوق خویش همراه با بالابردن سطح دانش و بینش آحاد مردم را دارد . پس از نظر این حقیر اوبی و تمامی روزنامه نگاران فعال در راه آزادی بیان و عقیده ، در راه رسالت حقیقی خویش گام بر می دارند و این هرگز خروج از اصول حرفه ای روزنامه نگاری نیست .
پیروز باشید و سربلند

Journalists can be free expression activists though there are lots of odds and challenges against them.The responsibility of a committed journalist must be to voice out injustice,oppression and exploitation even in the face of life threaten consequences.He cannot disguise the truth or sit on the fence because the hallmark of good journalism is seeking the truth and presenting it objectively and factually as possible.
George

لا أرى أى تعارض بين حياد الصحفى و موضوعيته فى تناول الأحداث المختلفة و بين حركته كناشط للدفاع عن الحقوق و الحريات و بخاصة فى الدول الإستبدادية التى تحارب فيها الأنظمة الصحفيين المعارضين و المستقلين الذين يفضحون ممارسات تلك الأنظمة .
و أرى أن الصحفيين بشكل خاص يمثلون جزء من نخبة المجتمعات المختلفة و هذا يلقى على عاتقهم حمل لواء النضال من اجل الحرية و المساهمة الفعالة فى بناء مجتمع ديمقراطى حقيقى و ان يعملوا لذلك بشكل منهجى من خلال كتاباتهم المختلفة لإيقاظ الوعى الشعبى للدفاع عن حقوقه المهضومة

لاضير في ان يجمع الصحفي بين نقل المعلومة الموثوقة مهما كانت مخالفة لقناعته ،وبين ان يكون ناشطا في مجال الحريات العامة والخاصة ،حتى وان تقمص حينها ـ اي وقت ممارسته العمل مع لجان الحريات ومؤسساته ـ رايا منحازا ، شريطة ان يفصل بين الامر بين النقل الموثوق وبين ممارسة العمل الحقوقي .

I believe that there's a place for advocacy journalism - and a critical need for it. Journalists are not merely reporters; we are increasingly thought leaders - that is what the reading and viewing public expects from us: an informed, analytical take on an event. It's not as simple as advocating for freedom of expression. Few of us would oppose such a worthy cause. But when it comes to more contentious issues, such as same sex marriage or legalised prostitution, depending on your stance you may object to another journalist's right to advocate for their cause. I believe journalists should be entitled to contribute to opinion-pages, which are often reserved for some or other self-proclaimed specialist or expert. Credibility is not compromised when you declare your position.
Angelique Arde
Cape Town, South Africa

Журналисты все время борются за свободу слова хотя бы тем, что они не молчат. На то они и журналисты.