Description
Information, and what it is or should be, is at the heart of the works examined. The media, through journalists and photojournalists, play a central role in war, both in the course of the conflict and in the way belligerents and civilians are perceived and portrayed. The media are used to demoralize or disinform the enemy, heroize or demonize the actions of troops or individuals, and provide a biased national or international narrative to gain support, aid, or non-intervention. What is more, the independence of the media seems to have become a myth, as they need money to survive and do their job, and whoever provides the money therefore has enormous influence over what they do, say or show.
It is precisely this question of field reporting and the specificity of the war correspondent’s profession, as well as journalistic independence and neutrality, that the works examined here explore. As actors/observers, these journalists are both those who give images and coherence to a reality that is difficult to grasp and accept (even for themselves), and those who shape history. In this way, the media is a weapon that can do as much damage as bullets and, if used properly, can help groups of people overthrow governments and take control of the nation.
