Dear Guests, Ambassador Richard Verma, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon.

Daniel Pearl, a courageous, in-depth investigative journalist who was on a mission to expose the deadly and destructive nature of extremism, became a victim of extremism himself. He was brutally murdered while on a mission in Pakistan in 2002. I dare say that he was killed in action, the action of a true, professional reporter.

His killers wanted to put an end to his work and to the values he represented. But, contrary to their intent, his tragic death was not only not the end of these, but also the beginning of something just as powerful: Daniel Pearl's living memorials.

Daniel is being remembered and commemorated in many ways and in many places around the world: The Daniel Pearl Foundation, the Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture in UCLA, the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act signed by president Obama in 2010, the Daniel Pearl International Journalism Institute in the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel, to name a few.

Here in Delhi, we have initiated an annual series of events to remember Daniel Pearl, the man (son, husband, father, friend, colleague, professional journalist), to celebrate and commemorate his life and his legacy, every October (the month of his birth).

This is the second time we partner with the US Embassy, representing another reflection of Daniel's multi-facetted identity as both American and Israeli, to flag central issues and dilemmas relating to the profession Daniel loved so much: journalism.
Last year, we gathered to commemorate Daniel with a fascinating documentary and a discussion on journalism in the digital world, in which every smartphone holder is a potential reporter and every individual can share a tweet or a status with thousands, even millions of followers. A panel of journalists discussed the role of traditional journalism and its merits in today's reality and debated the role of the journalist in this new, changing, more technological world. The challenges this world presents are something that the diplomatic world, as well, is learning to face.

While information is easily accessible in the digital era, today's journalists are expected, more than before, to explore beyond merely reporting: to seek information, to investigate, to evaluate, to comment, and to expose the story behind the story. A long time ago, John Stewart Mill wrote: “since the general or prevailing opinion on any subject is rarely or never the whole truth, it is only by the collision of adverse opinions that the remainder of the truth has any chance of being supplied.” This saying is still relevant today.

When talking about journalism of the IT era, when redefining journalism and the role of journalists, the human factor plays a major role: offering 'consumers' the journalists’ analytic skills, sense of curiosity and judgement in order to provide exposure to as many "adverse opinions" needed for the truth to be supplied, journalists have to mirror the richness and diversity of human society. They have to echo its multi-culturalism, political and social economic challenges. They have to genuinely reflect the world; its gaps and opportunities, and they must also guarantee Gender Equality.

Throughout history women have documented the accounts of their lives - mostly in personal letters and exchanges - including references to the political developments in governments in which, at the time, they could not take part directly. Theirs were the accounts of bystanders and their readers were numerous. As women gained their rightful equal place in society, they also embraced journalism as a tool for re-shaping public agenda and public perceptions.

Our understanding of the world is shaped by those who tell its story, and women must join the story-tellers’ effort. Journalism today is just as involved in setting the daily agenda as it is responsible for reporting it. Without the invaluable input of women, there cannot be a discourse which would represent all the views in society.

Incidentally, we could have the same debate on Diplomacy: its redefined role in today’s world, and the irreplaceable role of women in the diplomatic sphere. I am proud to say in this respect that my entire political diplomatic staff at the Embassy of Israel is comprised of women, and I do believe we are better because of it.

 

Here in India, remarkable women like the first female Indian photo journalist Homai Vyarawalla, also known as ‘Dalda 13’; the first female Indian television news reader Pratima Puri; and the first female Indian journalist Vidya Munshi, were the women pioneers in journalism, and could have indirectly paved the way for women like those comprising our esteemed panel here today.

And yet, some of the obstacles the first women in journalism faced are still prevalent today, not just in India but worldwide. From a brief look at statistics on journalism, I have discovered the remarkable fact that over 70% of the in-depth articles in the media are written by men.  A study done in Israel, about two years ago, on "Women in Journalism" also highlights some disturbing findings that shed light on current challenges faced by women journalists and, to be honest, by female professionals in general.

For example, the study indicates that women journalists find it more difficult to manage family life in tandem with their careers. There is a higher rate of unmarried women journalists compared to their male peers and women in journalism have fewer children than their male counterparts. At the same time, female journalists are faced with higher pressure at work: records show that women are assigned to cover a wider array of topics and have produced a higher number of reporting news items compared to their male colleagues, yet their presence in the high echelons of hierarchy or mid-level positions do not reflect this. Women are also given tighter deadlines for their tasks, and deal with more involvement from their editors on news items they work on.

Another interesting finding is the fact that women tend to file their reports from the ground much more than male journalists.

Talking about female journalists is also talking about female journalism. It is not just the gender of the writer but also the nature of her writing. It is not just about the voice of the journalists, it is also female journalists giving more voice to women in general: interviewing more women, promoting more gender related stories and even serving as the wind under the wings of women in politics.  

Women’s role in journalism is yet another opportunity to create change. It is more than bringing more voices into the discussion; it is a chance to set the topic of discussion. It is a chance to influence society, a chance to make a difference. Today's panelists, who I am sure will lead a candid and very lively discussion, may have different backgrounds and different personal stories as journalists, but they have (at least) one thing in common: they were able to establish themselves as highly valued professionals who perform a leading role in shaping agendas rather than just reporting about them.

Allow me to conclude this brief intervention by thanking all the people involved in organizing this event: H.E. Ambassador Richard Verma, Mr. Richard Pinkham from the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Embassy staff, Jonathan Kessler Director of The American Center, my colleagues at the Embassy of Israel and the participants of our panel here today: Harinder Baweja, Barkha Dutt and Suhasini Haidar.

I hope this discussion on the role of women in journalism will include not only the challenges but also the opportunities and stories of success to inspire young women to make their voices heard.
Thank you very much.