Author(s): Denise Leith

Politics

'There are two types of people in this world: those who have been to war and seen war close up, and those who haven't. They're not the same animal.' First published 2004. The journalists and photographers who document war and conflict are continually challenged personally and professionally by the scenes that they witness. How do they live with the horrors of war and human suffering that they witness and the commonly expressed sense of impotence that results, while simultaneously claiming their job is a privilege and their work has given their life meaning? While passionately arguing their aim is to 'make a difference' why have many repeatedly refused to become witnesses in war-crimes tribunals? And how do they deal with one of the most difficult dilemmas faced by war correspondents and photojournalists: whether to abandon their witnessing role to lend assistance to people suffering from the effects of war or famine, or whether to make the decision that the greatest assistance they can provide is to stand back and get the story or pictures out to the rest of the world? Some war correspondents and photojournalists are drawn back again and again to the next conflict while others have decided that the risk and personal toll is something they can no longer accept. Bearing Witness will challenge the way you view and read the world with its remarkable insights into the experiences, beliefs and fears of more than twenty of these journalists and photographers, including Robert Fisk, Monica Attard, Marie Colvin, David Rieff, David Brill, Sorious Samura and Kate Adie - people who have spent their careers looking at what others cannot bear to see . . .