The opening chapter of International News Reporting is honest, disturbing, and forces anyone entering the journalism field to look inwards for an explanation of the forces that drive them to tell stories from the edge of chaos. Written by Janine Di Giovanni, one of Europe's most respected journalists, the chapter delves at the thrill seeking aspect of her own search for meaning in the conflicts she has been covering since the 80's. It is a harrowing and inspiring look at the realities she has faced along the way.
The rest of the book investigates the many issues raised by the practice of sending Western correspondents to cover international conflicts, especially in this time of transition within the journalism field itself. At the end of each chapter, questions are presented for the reader to reflect on.
The Future of Journalism and Implications for Reporters
The speed with which information and images can be broadcast is changing the landscape of reporting. Nigel Baker, in his chapter Technology, Timeliness, and Taste uses the broadcasting of Saddam Hussein's execution as an example of the new ethical dilemmas being posed by such technologies as mobile phones.
What are the responsibilities of editors to balance the public's right to news with the release of potentially disturbing footage?
Nick Pollard tackles the issue of 24 hour continuous news coverage. He discusses some of the issues associated with the capability for news to go live, anywhere, anytime. Within the broadcasting community, there is debate whether so much of the 24 hour news cycle is filler when there is no breaking news .
Does 24 hour news coverage add to the quality of reporting?
Different ways of being a journalist is covered across several chapters. News agencies are hiring more freelancers, citizen journalism is becoming more popular, and journalists are increasingly being asked to work across more media platforms while budgets shrink. The nature of the job is changing, and as it does, issues of safety, compensation, and ever higher expectations for expertise beyond traditional roles.
What will it mean for the profession if journalists are expected to do more for less job security?
How Journalists Tell Stories, A Critical Perspective
Several of the chapters deal with the ways that reporters gather and tell stories. The importance of establishing relationships with invaluable sources such as officials and humanitarian relief organizations is highlighted, albeit with a warning to remain critical.
The case of Iraq is used to discuss the dangers of relying too heavily on official sources, whereas the temptation to "hype" a crisis could lead to exaggeration from humanitarian relief organizations looking to increase the amount of resources from an engaged international community.
Apart from the ways that reporters gather information, there is also the cultural perspective as to how those stories are told. The tendency towards formulaic reporting on international crises is a part of the explanation why there are such distorted views of the Global South.
What are different ways of telling stories about war and other disasters that contributes to knowledge of the regions themselves?
Final Thoughts
International News Reporting is an engaging read, a thought provoking analysis of the issues inherent to war reporting, and makes a sincere plea for journalists to educate themselves on safety if they are going out to the field.
International News Reporting was published by WileyBlackwell; 2008, ISBN-10-1405160381. Royalties from the book are donated to the Kurt Schork Memorial Fund, dedicated to the memory of Kurt Schork who was killed while reporting in Sierra Leone in 2000.
For more J-School recommended reading reviews see:
Compassion Fatigue, by Susan D. Moeller
The Global Journalist, by Philip Seib
The Universal Journalist, 3rd edition, by David Randall
Reporting War, edited by Zelizer and Allan
Al-Jazeera, by El-Nawawy and Iskandar
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