"Based on a 5-year study, involving over 150 in-depth interviews, this book examines the political, economic and social forces that sustain and influence humanitarian journalists. The authors argue that – by amplifying marginalised voices and providing critical, in-depth explanations of neglected crises – these journalists show us that another kind of humanitarian journalism is possible. However, the authors also reveal the heavy price these reporters pay for deviating from conventional journalistic norms. Their peripheral position at the ‘boundary zone’ between the journalistic and humanitarian fields means that a humanitarian journalist’s job is often precarious – with direct implications for their work, especially as ‘watchdogs’ for the aid sector. As a result, they urgently need more support if they are to continue to do this work and promote more effective and accountable humanitarian action." (Publisher)
Contents
Introduction: Who are humanitarian journalists? 1
1 Making news in a boundary zone, 19
2 Insiders and outsiders: Peripheral, precarious and constructive watchdogs, 44
3 Adding value, amplifying marginalised voices and covering under-reported crises, 61
4 Fifty shades of humanitarianism, 85
5 Is humanitarian journalism a field-in-the-making? 99
Concluding remarks, 111