Reporting from the Frontlines: A War Correspondent’s Perspective on Modern Conflicts
Date :
2024-10-14
Department :
International Master's Program in International Communication Studies
【Article by IMICS】
The College of Communication’s EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction) course, TV News Introduction and Voice Projection, hosted a special lecture titled Until the Day the Guns Fall Silent by Mr. Charlton Peng (彭光偉), a senior war correspondent from Sanlih E-Television (三立電視), at National Chengchi University on October 7, 2024.
Mr. Peng, who has reported from the frontlines of numerous global conflicts, shared his experiences with students, discussing whether war correspondents take sides in the conflicts they cover. He explained, “I do have a side, but it’s with the people caught in conflict zones.” This commitment to focusing on the human impact of war, rather than being influenced by the warring factions, shapes his reporting.
During his talk, Mr. Peng emphasized that modern warfare extends beyond physical combat, encompassing cyber warfare and propaganda. He noted, “Both sides are working to capture global attention through images and narratives from the war zones. It’s important for correspondents to resist being swayed by these attempts to justify military actions.”
He also emphasized the challenges of achieving peace, referencing broader global conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. Mr. Peng pointed to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Perception Survey 2023-2024, which identifies societal polarization as a major global risk. He argued that choosing sides between conflicting parties hinders ceasefire efforts, as peaceful resolutions require open communication. “There is always the possibility of choosing a middle path,” he said.
One of the most memorable moments of his career, Mr. Peng recalled, was an interview with a family struggling to survive in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The parents had sold a kidney to support their three children but remained in dire straits, even considering selling their youngest child. Despite their hardships, the family expressed relief that bombings had ceased following the Taliban takeover, as their safety had become their primary concern, overshadowing the loss of rights.
This special lecture offered students invaluable insights into the complexities of modern conflict reporting and the ethical challenges war correspondents face on the ground.
The College of Communication’s EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction) course, TV News Introduction and Voice Projection, hosted a special lecture titled Until the Day the Guns Fall Silent by Mr. Charlton Peng (彭光偉), a senior war correspondent from Sanlih E-Television (三立電視), at National Chengchi University on October 7, 2024.
Mr. Peng, who has reported from the frontlines of numerous global conflicts, shared his experiences with students, discussing whether war correspondents take sides in the conflicts they cover. He explained, “I do have a side, but it’s with the people caught in conflict zones.” This commitment to focusing on the human impact of war, rather than being influenced by the warring factions, shapes his reporting.
During his talk, Mr. Peng emphasized that modern warfare extends beyond physical combat, encompassing cyber warfare and propaganda. He noted, “Both sides are working to capture global attention through images and narratives from the war zones. It’s important for correspondents to resist being swayed by these attempts to justify military actions.”
He also emphasized the challenges of achieving peace, referencing broader global conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. Mr. Peng pointed to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Perception Survey 2023-2024, which identifies societal polarization as a major global risk. He argued that choosing sides between conflicting parties hinders ceasefire efforts, as peaceful resolutions require open communication. “There is always the possibility of choosing a middle path,” he said.
One of the most memorable moments of his career, Mr. Peng recalled, was an interview with a family struggling to survive in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The parents had sold a kidney to support their three children but remained in dire straits, even considering selling their youngest child. Despite their hardships, the family expressed relief that bombings had ceased following the Taliban takeover, as their safety had become their primary concern, overshadowing the loss of rights.
This special lecture offered students invaluable insights into the complexities of modern conflict reporting and the ethical challenges war correspondents face on the ground.