FAIRFAX–Kevin Sites, also known as the “‘granddaddy’ of backpack journalism” by the trade press, spent his Tuesday afternoon telling Mason students about his experiences covering global wars.
“We’re going to talk a little bit about backpack journalsim,” said Sites. “But more interesting and perhaps more importantly about the consequences of being a journalist.”
Throughout his lecture, he explained his reactions to three instances that have ultimately changed his life. From not offering comfort to a dying man, witnessing another’s execution and not paying enough attention to a man who spoke a language he couldn’t understand, Sites illustrated the aftermath of being a journalist of war and possible examples of post-traumatic stress disorder.
His story captivated an overcapacity room in Innovation Hall and left students wondering about their roles as journalists. By sharing his eye-opening stories about moral dilemmas that journalists face, I believe that members of the audience left the room thinking a bit differently about the jobs they’re pursuing.
Sites visited with Professor Beth Jannery’s COMM 303 class twice on Tuesday. Jannery was gracious enough to open the event to all students of the department.
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