Through Her Eyes: Australia's Women Correspondents from Hiroshima to Ukraine

by Melissa Roberts

In Through Her Eyes Australian women correspondents tell their own stories from the frontline – covering the breaking news, the issues and the events that are changing the world. They tell of Russian tanks and Ukrainian mothers fleeing with their children, vicious Afghan warlords, anti-government rebels in Central Africa, terrorist attacks in the United States, and the chaos faced by ordinary people caught up in disasters and political upheaval.While a woman strapping on a reporters’ flak jacket is now a common sight, there was a time when they were locked out of the big stories because of their gender. Unlike their male counterparts, they needed single-minded determination to score a plum assignment or win a posting to a foreign bureau.Through Her Eyes tells of the exhilaration that comes with a big story but also the dangers, the risks, the struggle and the big issues women still face, from vicious media trolling to threats of sexual violence.Through Her Eyes includes well-known women correspondents for major media organisations inside and outside Australia including the ABC, BBC, SBS, CNN, The Associated Press of America, UPI, Reuters, The Times of London, Al Jazeera, China Global Television Network, The Australian , The Sydney Morning Herald , The Age , and the Australian Financial Review.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read, a Cook's tour of the world through the eyes of some of Australia's most accomplished (and sometimes short-lived) foreign correspondents. It should hardly be surprising that the pieces are well-written (given, journalists) and that the subject matter, for each one, is compelling, making it just a really good read.
Most of the contributions are autobiographical, but they are supplemented by brief bios where the subject was deceased or otherwise unavailable (including a piece on Rania Abouzeid, whose No Turning Back: Life, Loss, and Hope in Wartime Syria I loved). There is substantial variation in place, approach, opinions about the profession and writing style.
I found the writers who focused on a place the most memorable. Outstanding here was Monica Attard on her lifelong love of Russia - tinged with heartbreak at the current invasion of Ukraine and all that it means for Russians and Ukrainians , Kirsty Needham on Beijing and Sue-Lin Wong on Hong Kong.
Some write of things hard to bear, from Anna Coren on Afghanistan, to candace Sutton on central Africa and Prue Clark on Liberia. Clark is one of several writers who express disillusionment in the profession, questioning whether the choices correspondents make in the name of "telling the story" actually result in any meaningful change.
Few - Emma Alberici is one of the notable exceptions - focus on the specifics of being a woman, while few also speak of a world in which this is the norm. The focus is on professional achievement and the stories they wish to tell.
Others focus on humour, illuminating the craziness of the lifestyle or of the assignments. Diaa Hadid covers a Hamas match-making service in Gaza, Janine Perrett covers the mad pace of NYC correspondent and Mary Anne Jolley captures something essential in her piece about Malaysia and working for Al Jazeera.
But perhaps the most resonant are those which take a small slice of something unforgettable - Yaara Bou Melhem's piece on the woman who refused to give up on Raqqa; Cate Cadell on the AI training programs in China; and Amanda Hodge on Bin Laden's hideout. These women can't resist a good story, and this book delivers that, while managing to ask very disquieting questions about our desire for stories.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fascinating. I now have a bigger appreciation for journalists in general, but particularly women journalists. It seems like it could be a very lonely job, but also all consuming and potentially a cause of issues such as PTSD. I have no idea how journos with kids do what they do.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible, inspiring and beautiful reading Australian women journalist experiences, perspectives and stories in this book. I loved every account and learnt a lot, especially about significant events in history told by female Aussie's who were right in the action!!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive read. Showcases a wide range of journalists. It is joyful, sad and at time challenging reading.

[Chelsea Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who studied journalism and was curious about being a foreign correspondent this was so interesting to read! Minor fomo