Reporter Jacquelin Robson explains what it's like to be a journalist in a conflict zone as she files from Tel Aviv, Israel

7NEWS

5 hours ago

When conflict breaks out, the initial response is to run in the opposite direction, however, reporters, photojournalists and camera crews resist the natural instinct to flee to help tell stories from the ground.
Providing coverage in a conflict zone and informing the public on serious world events is one of the most impactful and important forms of journalism.
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When Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a surprise attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and military top brass, Channel Seven's Europe Correspondent Jacquelin Robson and cameraman James Cannon began preparing the best way to cover the development from the Middle East.
'Preparation for a conflict zone is extensive,' Robson told 7NEWS.com.au.
'(We) were given the go-ahead to get to Jordan, the best position to be in while we planned our next move, but with back-and-forth missiles, getting into the Middle East proved problematic.'
As surrounding countries closed their airspaces, multiple flights were cancelled until Robson and Cannon were finally able to board a plane at Heathrow.
However, less than an hour to their destination, they received some unexpected news.
'The pilot announced we would divert to Cairo,' Robson said.
'The stewardess told us the captain saw missiles over the skies of Jordan, forcing the unexpected detour.'
They spent three hours attempting to get some sleep on the floor of an Egyptian airport before finally boarding a new flight.
Risk assessments, security arrangements and crew bookings were all organised behind the scenes during their first few days reporting from Amman in Jordan, ultimately the decision was made to cross the border into Israel to get first-hand accounts of what was happening on the ground.
'Shortly after arriving in Tel Aviv, we had our first air raid siren,' Robson said.
'We found the hotel bunker, and it struck me how calm and nonchalant guests were.
'I would come to understand the sirens sound regularly, and it becomes part of daily life.'
Robson said she and Cannon were fortunate to have a safe space to wait out air raids, knowing that many others did not.
'We are experiencing what anxious Israelis deal with every day.'
Importance of reporting from conflict zones
The Vietnam War was the first televised war broadcast straight into people's living rooms.
Coverage of uncensored and often graphic scenes had a profound impact on the publics' perception of the war, changing the way conflict was covered forever.
Former Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, said the importance of press coverage of armed conflicts cannot be overstated.
'By gathering and disseminating reliable information about armed conflicts, journalists carry out a crucial mission of public interest,' she said.
Journalists in conflict zones still face significant dangers and are often targeted for their work.
In 2024, over 100 journalists were killed around the world, 361 were imprisoned and 67 remain missing, according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
'Personally, my initial fear of the dangerous situation has settled somewhat knowing the various bunkers, safe spaces and alert system the Israeli Government has established,' Robson said.
'It puts in perspective the lives of those in the Middle East who don't have access to such well-established safety measures.'
Robson said their small crew is currently made up of a local Israeli driver and producer, a security officer, cameraman and herself as the reporter.
'All of these roles are very important to get the interviews and footage gathered safely,' she said.
'We will have decided where we are going for the day before we leave and locations are given to our security, so he can assess the area.
'Our local producer helps us navigate impact zones, she negotiates with local authorities about access to sites, the latest update from the scene and can also help with gathering talent.'
Robson said their days follow a pattern of 7NEWS evening bulletins, reported live from Israel at 9am and 11am local time, before work begins on building and editing news packages, as well as story gathering for the following night
'For food, we eat when we can and where we can, that's life as a reporter no matter the location — nothing can be scheduled when news can happen at a moment's notice,' she said.
'Our office ends up being one of our hotel rooms. It acts as a studio, control room, newsroom and then also somewhere to sleep.
'You take the moments where you can, to take a nap for an hour or two, rest when you can because you don't know when the next big strike will happen and the day is upended.'