Janet Malcolm's seminal work discusses the moral dilemmas inherent in journalism, positing that reporters often betray their sources for truth. In the context of Michelle Shephard's cover story on Zakaria Amara, a radical turned rehabilitated individual, Shephard's approach is interesting as she seeks to understand Amara's past after he served time for terrorism. The article examines how journalistic relationships can shift power dynamics, with Shephard exploring the complexities of trust and narrative ownership, essentially flipping the traditional dynamic between journalist and subject.
Every journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself to notice what is going on knows that what he does is morally indefensible.
Shephard wanted to explore why he became radicalized, and then violent, and how-as he claimed-he was rehabilitated in prison.
It is a contractual arrangement that can only end in one side being sacrificed in the pursuit of objectivity.
Shephard flips the script: she flashes a knife at her side of the story too.
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