J'acuse

In name of the dozens of dead journalist and other members of the press:

I accuse and I demand!

I accuse:
All who forgot that freedom of speech should be universal. And universal means, for you, and for me and the entire human race (1).

I accuse:
All who think that just because they hold arms, that they are right. I accuse all who think that just because they are in power, they have the (divine) right to determine what others should think. By hook AND by crook.

I accuse:
All the COWARDS, who take to arms whenever they can't win by intelligent argumentation.

I accuse:
All who use others, particularly members of the press, as scapegoats to further their own despicable agenda. Fomenting rage and hate against people who are doing the job of informing the rest of us.

I demand:
That freedom of thought and freedom of speech be cherished and honoured. For without these freedoms, the human race will stagnate and die out.

I demand:
Open and honest dialogue whenever points of view don't coincide. And sometimes, we have to agree to disagree.

I demand:
Respect for the profession and calling of journalism. Both without and within the profession.

I demand:
That lives of members of the press be respected. That all should be done to protect their health, lives and civil liberties.

I demand:
RESPECT and DIGNITY for all human beings!



(1) We are the World (1985) - USA for Africa