This Thursday, the President of the V Congress of Journalists noted that in seven years, more than 400 journalists have left the profession, highlighting the “exploits” of those who enter or leave the sector and the “passion for journalism.”
“There are 5,310 of us in 2024; in seven years, 436 comrades have left the profession. […]. Leaving and staying is a courageous act. Both share a passion for journalism,” said Pedro Coelho, president of the V Congress of Journalists, speaking at the opening ceremony of the main meeting, which takes place at the São Jorge cinema in Lisbon.
The President of the V Congress of Journalists noted that in the last issue, former journalist Barbie Zelizer wrote that the profession had reached a “point of exhaustion,” leaving it the opportunity to be reborn. However, after seven years, “we have become worse,” he noted.
During his speech, he reminded journalists who undergo successive internships without salary, those who are physically and mentally exhausted, those who live in one house, who do not have money to travel or buy books, those who are unreliable, those who produce products on a piecework basis. and all those that unfold into several works.
“I speak for those who, despite everything, have the courage to stay,” he emphasized.
The official also said journalists needed to “look inside” and understand what was being done.
In his opinion, if the problem is the financing of public goods, then “the financing of journalism should be discussed without taboo, and not by companies whose ownership we do not know and which may serve unknown interests.”
Pedro Coelho also took the opportunity to leave a warning: if things remain the same, “we will lose the opportunity to rebuild the future.”
The fifth Congress of Journalists, to be held seven years after the last one, will examine topics such as ethics, working conditions, teaching, memory and media funding.
The event, which ends on Sunday, is supported by the Union of Journalists (SJ), Casa da Imprensa and Clube dos Jornalistas.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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