With NBC’s Richard Engel safe, attention is once again being focused on Syria, which continues to prove itself one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in recent memory. There are still a number of journalists missing in the country, including freelance journalist Austin Tice.
28 journalists have been killed in the country since the uprising began according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, including Japanese TV reporter Mika Yamamoto, French TV reporter Gilles Jacquier, French war photographer Rémi Ochlik and Sunday Times war reporter Marie Colvin, who was killed just hours after appearing on CNN. Most of the journalists killed were locals reporting on their own country.
In an interview with TVNewser in 2008, Engel talked about being an international correspondent. There is an appeal that sucks certain people in, towards the danger, and away from the relative safety of home.
“Something about international reporting is still very raw. You are covering a developing story and it’s like almost being a hunter-gatherer…and there is something about that I find very worthwhile. And I love doing it…I’ve been living [abroad] for 12 years. By now, living overseas is home to me.”