The risks of being a journalist and appearing to be an immigrant

BarcelonaOn Monday, an unpleasant incident occurred in Ceuta that quickly began to spread across the networks. An extremist assaulted a journalist from the digital media El Pueblo de Ceuta believing, due to his appearance, that he was an immigrant. Firstly, it is striking that this individual feels so impunity to think he can assault an immigrant in front of all the media without repercussions. Secondly, the incident is a demonstration of what happens when racial bias is applied generically: a certain skin color equates to a specific human condition. The man ended up apologizing and acknowledging his error [sic], but that's not all.

As a journalism professor, what bothered me most was the journalist's reaction, who, in addition to insulting the aggressor, wanted to make it clear to everyone gathered that he was "fed up" with the situation –"just like you or even more," he said. "I've swallowed all of this from the beginning and I've been at the fence putting up with this shit. And for what, to have this happen to me? What the hell is this?", he asked, visibly agitated. It is evident that the journalist was seeking the complicity of the protesters, of a very specific profile, and found no better way than to stand by their side to also present himself as a victim of the situation.

But let's take it step by step. A journalist cannot describe what is happening in Ceuta as "shit" that he has to "put up with," because our job consists precisely in covering dramatic situations like this, especially if you are a journalist on the southern border of Europe with Africa. And this is what makes our profession special, and that's why Mònica Bernabé insists again and again on going to Afghanistan. Or Francesc Millan to Ukraine. But here, perhaps someone has made a mistake in their profession.