Marie Colvin’s Legacy
How iconic war reporter Marie Colvin's legacy is supporting women journalists throughout the Middle East.
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Welcome to IWPR’s Frontline Update, your go-to source to hear from journalists and local voices at the front lines of conflict.
THE BIG PICTURE
Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin, who was killed in Syria in February 2012, spent more than 30 years covering the Middle East and the cruelty of war.
Established to honour her extraordinary legacy, the Marie Colvin Journalists’ Network (MCJN)– a longtime IWPR partner – supports Arabic-speaking women reporters with mentorship and professional advice as well as access to practical resources and work opportunities.
VOICES FROM THE FRONTLINE
“Since joining MCJN during the war on Gaza, the network has consistently checked in on my safety and situation — a vital source of moral support especially after the loss of many fellow journalists,” said Nour Swirki, a correspondent with Al-Sharq. “The network also connected me with professional opportunities suited to my circumstances, easing the pressure of building my career while reporting under constant blackouts.”
Local journalists bear the burden of reporting on war as they and their families live its realities of destruction, death and trauma. Women journalists confront additional challenges of harassment and social pressure - often also while undertaking caregiving responsibilities.
“This network has been a true lifeline for me during one of the most difficult periods of my professional life,” said one member from Libya, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons. “When I felt alone, lost and out of options, I found support, compassion and humanity.”
Aziza Nofal, a mentor in the West Bank, agreed that this holistic provision allowed members to carry on reporting stories of global significance from their own regions.
“The network hasn’t just provided me with professional support but also emotional support, which has been very helpful for me given the current situation in Palestine and the difficult circumstances in which us women journalists work,” she said.
WHY IT MATTERS
Across the Arab world, women journalists face danger and discrimination as they carry out their essential work. They frequently lack professional or security training, legal contracts, insurance or even minimal protective gear – let alone psychological assistance.
A regional community of supportive peers means that MCJN members can draw on the mentorship, mental health support and digital resources they need to carry on informing the world.
“MCJN has given me what every journalist needs – mentorship, real opportunities and a strong community,” said Aya Mansour, an independent journalist from Iraq. “Through the network, I’ve found grants, new opportunities and mentors who understand the region’s complexities. When MCJN thrives, more women’s investigations – and their voices – come to light.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
Foreign reporters can move on to different stories when things get difficult. But those on the ground must face the aftermath of violence and its long-term physical and emotional consequences.
IWPR is proud to support MCJN, whose members are empowered to not only continue carrying out the crucial job of reporting, but also to also play a transformative role in their newsrooms and wider communities.
