Your Voice: Death of journalists in Israel-Gaza war shows need to protect them; Hong Kong comedy industry (long letters)

The news we watch every night, the newspaper we flip through every morning, the shocks we get from different sources of information – all of these relate back to one job – that of a journalist. They go through the highs and lows of our world just to record everything for us so we can learn from it. However, in my opinion, that is just the surface of what a journalist really does.

In reality, being a journalist involves a lot of danger. Journalists take immense risks on a daily basis, and it is important to understand their lives.

According to Unesco research, more than 1,600 journalists have been killed since 1993. Imprisonment of journalists is also heard of sometimes. Online and offline threats have long been a risk, which shows how important it is to protect them.

UN rings alarm bells on the high number of journalist deaths in the Israel-Gaza war

The biggest concern today is journalists reporting from risky areas, particularly regions with ongoing wars. Despite the dangers of being killed or imprisoned, journalists still take the risk so they can share what is happening with the world.

As the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ’s) preliminary investigations have shown, the Israel-Gaza war has been one of the most dangerous conflicts for journalists. At least 88 media personnel have been killed. Meanwhile, according to reports, 16 have been injured, four are missing, and 25 have been arrested as of February 20.

Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa programme coordinator, said, “CPJ emphasises that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties.” This is true, as they are just normal people trying to share the news.

One journalist, the eldest son of the Al Jazeera Gaza bureau chief, was killed in an Israeli strike in southern Gaza, along with two others. The group was en route to the Moraj area, northeast of the city of Rafah, which was designated a “humanitarian zone” by the Israeli army but had reportedly experienced recent bombings.

Humanitarian laws distinguish journalists into two different groups while working in war-affected areas. These include war correspondents accredited to the armed forces and “independent” journalists. Both categories are protected under international law.

Female journalists face unique issues in the field. Gender stereotyping in media is very common. Organisations have been formed to overcome these problems, such as The Unstereotype Alliance, a platform by UN Women that seeks to eradicate harmful stereotypes in media and advertising content. We should be encouraged and inspired by female journalists, such as Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international anchor.

Famine fears rise in Gaza as UN agency stops food deliveries, citing Israeli failure to protect convoys

A key aspect to understanding more about journalism is that it’s not just a fun job or one that lets you get on TV. It’s a job where you take a risk while sharing the world’s hidden stories with the public.

Journalists are human beings who deserve the most from us, as people who consume news about our world every day.

Thanks to this community whose work we see in newspapers, books, websites, TV, and more, we know what is happening in the world.

Wong Yu-man, Carmel Secondary School

I am writing to draw attention to the need to develop and revitalise Hong Kong’s comedy industry. Despite its past successes, the current state of the industry calls for renewed support.

Comedy is a vital form of entertainment that brings joy, laughter, and social commentary to society. It has the power to unite people and provide much-needed relief from the stresses of daily life. However, in recent years, the comedy scene in Hong Kong has faced various challenges that have hindered its growth and impact on society.

One of the primary challenges facing the comedy industry in Hong Kong is the dominance of mainstream media and the rise of digital platforms. Traditional comedy venues, such as theatres and comedy clubs, have struggled to adapt to audiences’ changing preferences and viewing habits.

There are not enough television programmes featuring comedians, and the limited opportunities for comedians to perform on stage have contributed to the stagnation of the industry.

Additionally, the limited support and opportunities for aspiring comedians in Hong Kong have stunted the sector’s growth. Unlike other creative fields, such as music or film, comedy often lacks dedicated training programmes, mentorship initiatives, and platforms for talent development. This shortage of resources and guidance hampers the growth of emerging comedians. The absence of a structured framework for nurturing comedic talent has resulted in a lack of fresh voices in the industry.

To revitalise the comedy industry in Hong Kong, the public and private sectors must increase investment and support. Only by providing enough resources to aspiring comedians can the industry rise again.

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Furthermore, media organisations and content creators should prioritise originality and diversity in comedic content. Encouraging the exploration of new comedic styles, incorporating social commentary, and embracing emerging trends would rejuvenate the industry and attract a wider audience base.

Collaborations between established comedians and promising newcomers would also facilitate knowledge transfer and foster growth within the industry.

Fostering a supportive and inclusive community is crucial for developing the comedy scene. Encouraging collaboration and holding networking events and comedy festivals would provide opportunities for comedians to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. Building a sense of camaraderie and mentorship within the industry would create a nurturing environment for talent to thrive and go a long way towards revitalising the industry in Hong Kong.