Fallen Journalists Memorial echo opinion

Journalism tragedy anniversary. In fact, the deadliest assault against journalists in U.S. history occurred on June 28, 2018, when a gunman opened fire at the offices of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, killing five and injuring two. Echo by David Dreier:

Ernie Pyle Memorial Ie Shima Okinawa

At the Capital Gazette newspaper, we will always remember 

• Rob Hiaasen 
• Wendi Winters
• Gerald Fischman 
• John McNamara and 
• Rebecca Smith 

They were the mortality victims along with the brave women, and men who survived the attack and immediately went back to work serving their community.

Their deaths are not isolated. Every year, hundreds of journalists are attacked, imprisoned and murdered around the world. Some are killed because of what they do. The Washington Post’s Jamal Khashoggi and the Wall Street Journal’s Daniel Pearl are among the victims. Sadly, as we saw last year at the Capital Gazette, American journalists are vulnerable to reprisals for their work on U.S. soil. Other tragedies have included the 2015, fatal shooting of reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward of Roanoke, Virginia’s WDBJ TV and the 2001, anthrax death of photo-journalist Robert Stevens of The Sun newspaper in Boca Raton, Florida.

Others have perished because of where they are. 

Throughout history, journalists have been on the front lines of conflicts from World War II to Iraq. 

• Ernie Pyle
• Michael Kelly and 
• David Bloom are among the journalists who perished in the quest to keep the public informed about the movements and actions of our military.

No matter the circumstances of their deaths, these journalists and their sacrifices deserve to be remembered. In a free society, a free press is a basic tenet. The fourth estate acts as both an expression and a guardian of liberty. That’s why we are beginning a campaign to erect a monument to fallen journalists in our nation’s capital.

The Tribune Publishing family is grateful to Senators Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat; and Ohio Republican Rob Portman, along with Representatives Grace Napolitano, a California Democrat; and Kevin Hern, an Oklahoma Republican, who have introduced legislation to establish the Fallen Journalists Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

Journalists who have sacrificed their lives in the name of a free press will receive an everlasting tribute in the memorial.

We have established the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation under the auspices of the non-profit National Press Club Journalism Institute. The Foundation will build support and plan for the design, construction, operation, maintenance and preservation of the memorial. Initial funding is being provided by the Annenberg Foundation and the Ferro Foundation.

The safety of journalists in the U.S. and around the world must be a priority because bigger values are at stake.

"Murder is a form of brutal censorship that is disrupting the flow of information,” said Joel Simon of the Committee to Protect Journalists. “People around the world are increasingly recognizing what's at stake. Political leaders must stand up, speak out, and deliver justice on behalf of the journalists who gave their lives to bring us the news."

This is a call to action. We must honor the memories of the journalists who have perished so that they can serve as a reminder of the essential value of journalism to our democracy.

David Dreier is Chairman of Tribune Publishing Co. and the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, fallenjournalists.org.

Eulogies for victims from 2nd Amendment zealots

Tragically, another week with the reports of even more innocent deaths by gun violence. People are asking, yet again, the rhetorical question about how to stop the escalating mortalities from preventable gun violence deaths?

WDBJ7 Reporter Alison Parker, Photographer Adam Ward Killed on Live TV

Although tightening gun ownership regulations are among the ways to prevent gun violence deaths, these clarion calls haven't summoned the attention required to create change.


Instead, I'm thinking, the surviving victims of gun violence might want to require the eulogies for the dead be given by the advocates from 2nd amendment rights.




White House: Shooting in Roanoke was an 'all too common' example of gun violence:

The White House on Wednesday redoubled its call for tougher gun laws in the wake of a shooting that killed two television journalists in Virginia. 

 

“This is another example of gun violence that is becoming all too common in communities large and small all across the United States,” Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on Wednesday.

There are “common sense” steps Congress can take to reduce gun violence in America, without infringing on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.  

Local television news reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were gunned down on Wednesday morning outside Roanoke, Va., by a suspect identified as Vester Lee Flanagan, a former employee of the television station. 

Unfortunately, a list of gun violence deaths are too daunting to publish. Nevertheless, it seems like the first response to all of the mortalities are a public condolence from some high up official, who is close to the situation. 

For example:

"I cannot tell you how much they were loved, Alison and Adam, by the WDBJ7 team," Jeff Marks, the general manager of station, said in an emotional statement on air. "Our hearts are broken."

Indeed, the above sad statement is an echo of thousands of others, given in response to other preventable deaths.

Therefore, instead of the same old sad rhetoric and predictable bereavement from those affected by gun violence, I'm recommending action, rather than "reaction" to, somehow, create an awareness for gun violence prevention.

Gun rights advocates should be the eulogists at the funerals and memorial services of all those who are killed as a result of gun violence.  For  example, Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice-president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), should be required to give at least 50 percent of gun violence victims eulogies.

Otherwise, if LaPierre, or his credible surrogate, refuses to comply, the consequences would be for the National Rifle Association's non profit fit tax status be revoked.

After all, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is supposed to have a benevolent mission. Therefore, giving the victims eulogies is consistent with this objective, to improve the public good. 

Mr. LaPierre owes Alison Parker and Adam Ward a eulogy. If their murderer didn't have a gun, both would, obviously, still be alive.

Moreover, the NRA should, also, donate sizeable contribution to a charity in memory of all victims' memories.

Those responsible for supporting unlimited Second Amendment rights to own guns must be held accountable for the preventable deaths caused by their irresponsible advocacy for guns.

As everyone alive today knows, without exception, the advocates of Second Amendment rights will one day be among those who will, eventually, have eulogies said on their behalf. 

Certainly, Second Amendment advocates would want their eulogies to include a commitment to ending gun violence. 

What goes around comes around.

Gun violence advocates should give the eulogies for those who are dead as a result of their irresponsible opposition to sensible gun ownership regulations.