Nicole Tung, an Istanbul-based photojournalist with nearly 14 years of experience covering wars and conflicts across the globe, recently shared her insights at the 10th edition of the Indian Photo Festival in Hyderabad. During the event, she discussed her experiences working in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones, including Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine, shedding light on the human toll of war and the challenges faced by journalists on the ground.
Tung, who had just returned from an assignment in Syria, spoke candidly about the emotional and moral complexities of war photography. “I wanted to understand why neighbors turn on each other and the underlying causes of the conflicts we see today,” she said, reflecting on the motivations behind her work. She emphasized the importance of empathy in conflict journalism, stating, “If you don’t have empathy for the people you’re covering, there’s no point in being in a conflict zone.”
Despite initially avoiding war photography, Tung found herself deeply immersed in the chaos of conflicts, especially in Syria, where she began her coverage in 2012. Recalling her first journey into Syria, she shared, “I snuck across the Turkish border under a fence and ran through olive groves to enter Syria in the most illegal way possible.” She went on to describe the warmth and hospitality of the local people who risked their lives to show her the ongoing protests against the Assad regime.
Tung’s photography has often focused on the vulnerable groups affected by war, particularly women and children. She highlighted the devastation caused by the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, noting, “What war does to a society is beyond just maiming bodies and destroying families. It cripples generations and makes entire nations poorer, both socially and economically.”
Her work has taken her to various conflict zones, from Libya during the revolution in 2011 to the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria in 2014. Along the way, she has grappled with the moral dilemmas of capturing vulnerable moments. “Making a photo of these vulnerable moments is sometimes morally questionable,” Tung admitted, referring to instances when people were desperately searching for loved ones after a missile strike.
Speaking about the dangers faced by journalists, Tung acknowledged that each conflict presents unique risks. “In Ukraine, the biggest threat is drones near the frontline or the massive missiles used by Russian forces. In Syria, it was snipers, artillery, and the constant threat of kidnapping,” she explained. Despite these challenges, she described her advantage in conservative countries, where, as a foreign journalist, she could speak to both men and women—something local reporters often cannot do.
Tung also discussed the trauma experienced by journalists working in conflict zones. She revealed that even seemingly innocuous sounds, such as the low-flying planes in Syria, would trigger anxiety. “It’s not flashbacks, but reactions to sounds that remind you of situations that caused trauma,” she said.
With an increasing trend of press censorship and limitations on press freedom globally, Tung expressed concern over the growing difficulties journalists face. Referring to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, she highlighted the alarming situation in countries like Gaza, where journalists are directly targeted by armed forces. “Even if you’re not directly targeted, you are still subjected to online harassment, imprisonment, and self-censorship,” she explained, stressing how these tactics are used to intimidate journalists and suppress critical reporting.
Tung’s work serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the growing challenges to journalism in an increasingly hostile environment.
