Balancing a High-Intensity Career as a War Journalist with Normcore Homelife

Through her on-location reporting, war journalist Clarissa Ward has put herself at risk to make sure we’re informed on some of the most important, global issues of our time. Clarissa explains her job's emotional ups and downs when returning from a war zone, other hazards that go along with the job, her experience as a female reporter.

In this episode, Clarissa shares with Amanda how her instincts are just as important as learning the shorthand language between teams on the ground and how she handles high-stress, deadly work situations.

 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [00:00] The discussion begins with women who claim to support other women but, in reality, many don’t, and the concept of women in the news industry
• 04:39] The advantages of being a female reporter. How people view a professional woman
• [08:48] Clarissa discusses how 9/11 forged her career, what that path looked like, and how Baghdad played a significant role
• [14:25] What is neutrality, and how does a journalist achieve it
• [20:57] Clarissa explains her job's emotional ups and downs when returning from a war zone and other hazards that go along with the job
• [26:29] The war correspondent job will take you away from your family at inconvenient times. Can your family fully accept the danger it involves?
• [33:14] Clarissa reflects on close calls, death, the language of a war zone and the value of security consultants
• [41:10] Clarissa shares her desire to keep stories on the front page

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• A crisis happening in one part of the world will always directly impact other countries. However, it may not be evident at the time. 
• Journalists should not inject their opinion when reporting. Instead, they should be telling the story. Being on Twitter frequently does not make you a journalist.
• One hazard of being a war correspondent is the emotional and physical effects on your body and soul.

 

RESOURCES:

Amandadecadenet.com
Amanda de Cadenet LinkedIn
Amanda de Cadenet Instagram
Clarissa Ward - Instagram
Clarissa Ward - Facebook

ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host, Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet.

 

QUOTES:

“Journalism is when I’m in Ukraine, and the Russian invasion begins.  Journalism can hold people accountable. It can be a number of different things, but it’s definitely not sitting on Twitter thousands of miles away spatting off your opinion about things; there isn’t anything wrong with that, it’s just not journalism.” Clarissa Ward

“I believe in truthfulness rather than neutrality, and so the idea that you constantly try to give the same amount of gravitas or import to a false narrative coming from one side as you do from the reality on the ground on the other side; I’m uncomfortable with that.” Clarissa Ward

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