Are war journalists hard-wired differently than other journalists?

So asks a professor of psychiatry and internationally-respected author who studies the effects of conflict reporting on journalists.

The University of Toronto’s Dr. Anthony Feinstein will present this year’s Dr. Julius Guild Public Lecture on Wednesday, October 14th in Toronto, as part of the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association’s National Conference. 

Feinstein’s research has focused on the psychological health of war journalists and shows that they suffer significantly more from psychological difficulties than their domestic colleagues.  He says “the motivation to become a frontline journalist is complex, but has much to do with genes, biological disposition and less with upbringing and environmental influences.”

While Feinstein’s research (which focused on journalists from CNN, BBC, CBC, Reuters and AP) has been well-received by the majority of frontline journalists and news organizations, there are some in the community who dismiss his findings as “a load of psychobabble.”

Please see the CGPA’s website or contact Doreen Ostrowski, conference coordinator, for more information.  The lecture is open to the public on a complimentary basis and the press are welcome to attend.