Suspilne war correspondent: No content is worth a journalsit's life or health
Reporting in a war zone and telling people's stories requires not just skill in gathering and presenting information, but also a deep understanding of one's own safety, ethics, and the mental state of the people one is working with.
No content, no matter how important, is worth the life or health of a journalist, stressed Suspilne's war correspondent and trainer Valentyna Hurova, during her class "The basics of reporting in combat zones" in the IMI's regional hub "Mediabaza Dnipro".
"Journalists working in a combat zone must be well prepared: plan their schedule, know the first aid basics, wear special clothing and safety gear, always keep in touch with the office and monitor the safety situation in real time. Communicating with the soldiers on the ground is also important, as it can help avoid dangerous situations," says Valentyna Hurova.
It is also important to keep in mind that some topics can be triggering to soldiers as you work with them, or with families of the missing and the deceased; one should avoid intrusive and inappropriate questions. The conversation should be structured in such a way that the speaker understands the purpose of the interview and the importance of their story, advises the journalist.
"You should give soldiers the opportunity to voice their opinions without imposing your own point of view or trying to encourtage the interviewee to open up with questions that are far removed from the topic of the interview. Empathy and understanding are key factors in such conversations," says the trainer.
Moreover, when working on the ground after shelling strikes, interviewing victims and eyewitnesses also requires caution. It is important not to put pressure on the people and give them a chance to express their feelings in a way that suits them. A journalist must be able to quickly assess the situation and, if necessary, provide mental first aid.
Polina Palamarchuk, an attendee of the class, says that it was interesting to hear many examples from the war reporter's experience.
"I liked the class. It was interesting to discuss the stages of working with sensitive topics once more, and most importantly, to hear so many examples from Valentyna's experience. I took a lot of useful advice for my further work!" said Palamarchuk.
"Ethics, respect for the interviewees and caution – these are the three key principles that will help journalists to perform their duty without risking their lives in combat zones and sites of shelling alike," concluded Valentyna Hurova.
Help us be even more cool!
