Jorge Ramos: Why journalists have an obligation to challenge power (with English subtitles) | TED

The Role of Journalism in Challenging Power

The Identity of a Journalist

• Camille Martínez introduces herself as both a journalist and an immigrant, emphasizing how these identities shape her perspective.

• She asserts that neutrality in journalism often serves as an excuse to evade responsibility, which is to question and challenge those in power.

The Complexity of Truth

• Martínez argues that presenting both sides of a story does not guarantee truth; life’s complexities require journalism to reflect deeper realities.

• She rejects the notion of being merely a "tape recorder," highlighting that journalists must make ethical and moral judgments constantly.

Ethical Dilemmas in Reporting

• Martínez poses critical questions about reporting under oppressive regimes, illustrating the moral choices journalists face when covering dictatorships or corruption.

• She shares personal experiences from her early career, detailing the challenges she faced while trying to report on democracy issues in Mexico.

A Defining Moment: Resignation and Immigration

• After facing censorship for criticizing the president, she made the pivotal decision to resign from her job at 24 years old.

• This decision led her to immigrate to the United States, where she recalls feeling a sense of freedom upon arrival.

Experiences as an Immigrant Journalist

• In the U.S., Martínez found a stark contrast in journalistic freedom compared to Mexico, noting how colleagues criticized President Reagan without repercussions.

• However, this changed during the 2016 presidential election when she was confronted with derogatory comments about Mexican immigrants by a candidate.

The Role of Journalists in Confronting Power

Lessons Learned from Confrontation

• The speaker shares two key lessons learned: never give your cell number to Donald Trump and the importance of abandoning neutrality as a journalist. This shift led to a mission focused on confronting misinformation about immigrants.

Statistics on Undocumented Immigrants

• The speaker presents statistics indicating that 97% of undocumented individuals in the U.S. are law-abiding, contrasting with 6% of U.S. citizens who have committed serious crimes. This data supports the argument that undocumented immigrants generally behave better than citizens.

Confrontation at Trump's Press Conference

• The speaker recounts an attempt to confront Donald Trump during a press conference, emphasizing the need for journalists to challenge false claims directly.

• A tense exchange occurs where Trump dismisses the speaker's right to ask questions, highlighting issues of access and respect for journalistic inquiry.

• Security personnel intervene, attempting to silence the speaker, which underscores challenges faced by journalists when confronting powerful figures.

The Impact of Hate Speech

• The speaker reflects on how hate can spread quickly; after Trump's dismissal, audience members echoed similar sentiments without recognizing the speaker's citizenship status.

Embracing Dissent and Taking Sides

• Emphasizing the power of saying "no," the speaker argues that this word is crucial for initiating change and standing up against oppression.

• Quoting Elie Wiesel, the importance of taking sides in journalism is reinforced—neutrality benefits oppressors rather than victims.

Journalistic Integrity Against Power

• The concept of "contrapoder" (anti-establishment) is introduced as essential for journalists who must oppose those in power rather than align with them socially or politically.

• When interviewing influential figures, it’s vital to ask difficult questions since they may not be asked by others; prioritizing truth over personal rapport is emphasized.

Conclusion: A Call for Courageous Journalism