Why we're here...

Journalist's killing shocks Turkey: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/20/turkey.dink/index.html

Journalists in America are under constant attack. We are accused of sensationalizing, politicizing and poor prioritizing. Whether or not all this is true, let us for a moment consider a world in which we are not free to do any of the above.
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was shot dead in Istanbul Friday. Dink was editor of a weekly newspaper, and a prominent public figure who was criticized by many for speaking out against historic killings of minority Armenians.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the killing a "shock" and an "insult" to the Turkish nation and a "dark day" -- not only for Dink's family but also for all of Turkey. Indeed it was.
Incidents like these a fact of life for journalists all over the world. Bless the men and women who value truth over nationalist rhetoric, who are not corrupted by the whims of politicians and who persist in the face of death. They risk their lives in Iraq, Bosnia and Sudan because they know life will be better for the people of these countries if they succeed.
Because if Americans had not - at some point - honored voices of opposition, we would not be anticipating Sen. Barak Obama's candidacy for President and Nancy Pelosi would not be able to vote, let alone serve as Speaker of the House.
For all our faults - true or imagined - journalists must always remember why we're here. That life IS better for so many because we seek truth and speak for those who do not have a voice. American journalists must hold themselves to the highest standard because people around the world are counting on us to give them something to aspire to.

TB