By: Azad Karimi
It's very important for journalism to explain culturual behavior, but it should be as impartial as possible as not to shape it.
Interview
Icelandic Journalist Arnar Tómas Valgeirsson
By Azad Karimi
Journalism is a troublesome and dangerous job. At the same time, it is enjoyable and dignified because the missioner is to inform the general thoughts. This mission requires courage, honesty and sacrifice, and a sense of responsibility.
During the years that I was in this profession, I dealt with all kinds of journalists. To be honest, I was accepting a few of them as professional journalists because many of them had turned to this job because of financial pressure and bad conditions and they were journalists without professionality and high skill. However, if one of them is arrested or caught, I will be upset and worried because one of my colleagues is in trouble and I have to react in some way to their suffering so that they may get out of trouble.
My dear friend Arnar is an Icelandic journalist and his country is in the Atlantic Ocean. Iceland is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe and the world. Iceland has a democratic and popular system, and its social and individual freedoms are guaranteed.
Unfortunately, I learned today that my and Arnar colleagues are in trouble in Cuba and that the Cuban government has arrested dozens of independent journalists and civil and human rights activists in the country.
Cubans came to the streets of the country's cities to protest the terrible situation because of the economic and political problems, but unfortunately, the Cuban security forces have arrested and imprisoned many of these protesters.
On the other hand, in another part of the world, Reporters Without Borders in France called for an investigation into the role of Mohseni Eje’i in the UN Human Rights Council, accusing him of having a direct role in the murder of four Iranian journalists, including Pirooz Davani.
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i has recently started working as the head of the judiciary in Iran. He has been Iran's prosecutor for many years, and his violence and crimes against independent thinkers and journalists are well known.
The reason for the plight of free and independent journalists is their courage to expose government officials' illegal actions.
The problem begins when the political and judicial leaders of a country always call on the people to be honest and truthful, but they themselves secretly do negative and illegal things and the real journalist considers it her duty to inform the people about this issue to find a solution by people for elect others to run the affairs of the country ...This revelation angers the oppressive rulers, who use their power to harass and harass free, independent, and committed journalists.
If you look at Iran, Cuba, and other dictatorial, limited, and closed countries, you will find that these countries are very poor and backward and are politically underdeveloped ...
I just realized that I have to add this news to this introduction. Iranian security forces have reportedly plotted to abduct Iranian woman journalist Masih Ali Nejad in New York, but US federal police have uncovered the plot.
And when we talk about a country like Iceland and other free world countries, we want to show that their kind of looking, at the world, society, and human beings is very different from backward countries like Cuba and Iran. ..
But the efforts of committed and independent journalists in Iran, Cuba, and other underdeveloped countries to promote liberal, progressive, and democratic ideals are commendable, and I, as a journalist, congratulate them and wish them success.
I also wish success and happiness to my dear friend and colleague Arnar.
Thank you!
Vestland-Norway
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1- Please present yourself (Name, education, job, Civil status and...)
. Arnar Tómas, journalist
2-what is your cultural specialize?
. World events and cultural curiosities
3- When and how did you become interested in this field of culture?
. Probably from an early age
4- Who was your motivator?
. I'm not sure.
5- What was your parent's reaction?
. They were happy and read everything I publish.
6- When started you such as a professional Journalist?
. I started writing about three years ago.
7- Are you thankful and happy because of your activities as Journalist?
. Yeah, it's been pretty good. The nature of the job is having something new to do every day.
8-Tell us Please: Do you see a special connect journalism and culture?
. I don't know. This is fine but not necessarily something I plan to do forever.
9- You are a journalist, please tell us:
I- Why do we need to follow the political events and evolutions?
.Keeping up with the events around us and the political evolution that follows helps us better understand the state of the world
II- What are journalism's role and its results in our cultural behaviours?
.It's very important for journalism to explain culturual behavior, but it should be as impartial as possible as not to shape it
III- What are the characteristics of a good journalist?
. An eye for a good story and knowing how to ask the right questions
10- Why do some Journalist become immortal? For example: Robert Fisk. Neil Budde, Veronica Guerin. ...Anna Politkovskaya,Pavel Sheremet and Oriana Fallachi?
. Some of the greatest journalists sacrifice a lot as they see themselves as a means to the truth. Others are artists with the pen.
11- How you see the view, the future of journalism and culture? You are a journalist; you have opinions surely...
. Journalism is very intertwined with technology and will continue to change. It's important that journalists don't lose sight of what's important in this increasingly competitive field.
12- What do you think of the Pulitzer Prize?
. It's a good way to shine a light on how important good journalists really are.
13-Do you think Reporters Without Borders is a news agency or a human rights media outlet?
. I don't think highlighting the gritty reality we live in needs any agenda.
14- A few days ago, the Chinese government shut down the Hong Kong Daily Apple newspaper ... What can be our mission as journalists in this regard?
. Silencing dissenting voices is a sign of a flawed system. Journalists should do their best to make those voices heard again.
15-A few weeks ago, the Belarusian government kidnapped a journalist from this country in the sky, why is this happening? Where does democratic and liberal journalism go? Isn't journalism the fourth power? Why is it so defenseless?
. Again, signs of a flawed system. It's sad to see the danger people have put themselves in by voicing their opinions, but thankfully it was met with global outrage. Individual journalists may be vulnerable, but hopefully the field with persevere.
16- Can you become one part of the cultural movement for motivation in youth or new generation in your country and so than?
. I'm not sure what you mean.
17- How can you help our world become a better place for living?
. Be nice to people around you.
18- Have you more word to say or suggestion for our readers?
. Hoisin sauce and greek yogurt is a killer combo.
