BREAKING NEWS: DETAILS OF THE POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND JOURNALIST SECURITY ISSUE ARE REVEALED

By JUAN DIEGO GARCÍA, THE PEOPLE’S DAILY

As previously explained on the “Is the punishment for journalists coming to an end? A deep insight to the status of the SOCHUM committee”, there was a void with almost all of the proposals by the delegates. However, the Czech Republic delegation, conformed by Pamela Pereda and Luis Velazques, did not fall for the already-presented working papers and decided to write their own in which they would specify where the funds are going to come from.

Pamela Pereda and Luis Velazques during the interview.

First, the money would be used to start two essential programs that would contribute to journalist’s knowledge when on duty. One of the programs is the “Journalists in training” which would consist of providing the applicants the feeling of being in a determined war-area. The “conflict-area” and “peace-area” label would be determined by the local government and the information provided by the ambassador who is residing in the country would be analyzed. The database would be updated weekly by the team confirmed by the government and previous journalists who had been reporting from the country being examined. Furthermore, part of the training would be simulations of different situations such as being attacked with a grenade, a flash bomb or napalm. The program’s length would be five months. It is important to stress that during the training they will also be taught how to use and handle weapons. The use of them will only be allowed when the situation demands it. Under no circumstances, should they get involved in the military action.

The second program would begin right after the journalists come back from the conflict-area. It is called “Post war health rehabilitation center” and as the name may suggest, is a rehab center for journalists who seem to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In order to attend to the center, one must apply through the website and go through both a psychological and medical exam to prove they meet the minimum damage requirements. Not every one will be allowed to attend because it is going to be free. Furthermore, on the third month there will be a test to monitor the progression of the journalist and right after the program concludes there will be a final test so authorize the release of the journalist fully recovered.

The whole proposition of the delegates from the Czech Republic looks pretty elaborate. However, it could be improved. This delegation is currently discussing with fellow delegates of the SOCHUM committee possible modifications that could be done to it. There is still one more day of conference and we expect the nations to join efforts and reach to an agreement to come up with a solution for once.