ABSTRACT

CSJ-12-0043.0

This case raises for student consideration the challenges and rewards of covering conflict, especially for women reporters. In March 2011, photojournalist Lynsey Addario was on assignment for the New York Times in Libya. She and three male colleagues had gone to the frontline to cover battles between rebels and government forces. Addario was a veteran of conflict reporting, and had worked in such locations as Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and Darfur. She had devised and followed policies to keep herself safe. But a sexual attack in Cairo in February on CBS chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan had reminded women reporters of the risks they ran. As the fighting intensified, Addario and her colleagues decided to head for safety. But they did not make it: at a checkpoint, soldiers stopped them, dragged them from the car and held them at gunpoint.

Use this case to ask students whether covering conflict is different for women than it is for men. If so, what are the differences? Once a woman reporter is in the field, what strategies might help mitigate risk? The class can discuss whether the media industry culture helps or hinders women reporters covering conflict. What about the “silencing crime”—sexual assault? Discuss how women reporters deal with sexual assault: preventively, in the moment, and after the fact.

Addario and her colleagues are covering what is in effect a civil war, in a culture that treats women differently than men. How much does the culture of the country or region you are assigned to matter? Does training help? What about language skills? Encourage students to imagine themselves in Addario’s situation and think through what might have been handled differently, and what to do now.

The case is suitable for classes about reporting in conflict zones; journalism and trauma; international journalism; or race/gender.

Credits:

This case was written by Nancy Zerbey for the Case Consortium @ Columbia. The faculty sponsor was Professor Ann Cooper, Graduate School of Journalism. (0312)

All photos used in this case are property of Lynsey Addario