BEHIND THE LENS, BEYOND THE CONFLICT

Every story begins with someone being there. But too often, those bearing witness pay a terrible price.

The Rory Peck Trust commissioned Lauren Walsh and Khalid Nasser to investigate the mental health consequences experienced by local Arab World photojournalists engaged in conflict coverage – particularly those documenting events within their own local or regional communities.

Unlike prior research that has primarily addressed the effects of direct or vicarious trauma, this project investigates the ways in which the photographic process itself—encompassing practices of witnessing, framing, editing, and publishing, alongside attendant related aspects of workflow—contributes to mental health outcomes.

Thank you to Khalid, Lauren and all those who took part in the study. It is a valuable contribution to keeping freelancers safe.

I hope you find it helpful.

Jon Williams, Executive Director