Comments on: "Excuse me, but could you please push apart your thighs?"

By: “…Okay, now tell me where he put his hands” « To Africa, from New York…

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:27:29 +0000

[...] 2009 October 6 tags: journalism, rape, trauma by jina This is, unhappily, the sequel to my earlier taken-down on major media coverage of rape in conflict. Turns out I have a little bit of a thing about [...]

By: AO

AO — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:05:57 +0000

Interesting, compelling point. But to make a correction: Michelle Faul is actually an African woman reporter, not the "privileged white woman" you refer to her as.

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:56:41 +0000

Hi, great thinking here. I'm blogging specifically on the failed coverage of the DR Conflict and the horrific stories of what happens to the women in particular is startling - yet it makes it nowhere in the press.

I'd be interested on your thoughts on my blog, or here, as I'm trying to find and gauge the multitude of complex reasons (or perhaps simple reasons) western media is ignoring this huge war.

I also have a colleague who is expoloring how images of conflict are used in the media - asking specifically why horrific images are so often spurned, yet are surely best to show for public reaction in cases such as these?

The above comment is also correct: journalism should be ruled by sound ethical conduct. The persons affected should be respected, but they should also be respected by having their stories told should they want them to.

It would be most appreciated. Keep it up!

By: chrislombardi

chrislombardi — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:18:33 +0000

Your idea would make a great story. But some journos would buck at the kind of necessary restrictions: confidentiality, agreeing not to approach women who aren't ready to talk, maybe a few sessions of training.

When I was working with survivors of military rape during the Aberdeen scandal of 1996, I fielded numerous calls from TV reporters who wanted to talk to someone. Not just someone: a woman who a) was in the Army woman b) was raped in basic training c)by her drill sergeant d) who'd go on TV at 6:30 tomorrow. As if they were ordering up a burger.