"We asked 17 journalists in twelve countries in South East Europe and beyond to write personal testimonies about why they are in journalism in these difficult times. These are media people of all ages and backgrounds, young budding writers, greyhaired seniors, war correspondents, television anchors and photographers. It seemed we had raised a question that many of them had been deliberating over but not addressed in public. They might speak to friends, colleagues and loved ones about their fears and challenges, but not to a general audience, as if this could look vain or self-centred. In the sheltered company of being with others, invited by KAS Media South East Europe, they were prepared to share their stories. Many of these are extremely touching, from photographing Russian atrocities in Georgia to thoroughly preparing for an interview with a difficult star in Serbia, they all show a commitment to telling what is. What transpires also is the knowledge and the wisdom of the generations before them that endured a time when it was impossible to say what is, unless it pleased the communist rulers. When KAS Media SEE offers scholarships to media students, the selection committee is often highly impressed by the young people, predominantly female, who apply and want to become journalists, against all odds and sometimes despite their parents’ and peers’ doubts about a career in journalism. An answer as to what keeps them going was recently given at a conference of ours by a Kosovoran television journalist in Pristina. She and her colleagues had not been paid in months and she found it hard as a mother to make ends meet. Yet, she said, “What keeps us going is the idea that we are doing something right.” Allow yourself to be inspired by writers who chose to be journalists and who have a story to tell." (Preface)