Australia’s War Correspondents to be Remembered

MEDIA RELEASE

The Australian journalists, photographers, camera and sound operators, and other media who have covered the nation’s involvement in wars and conflicts will be remembered at a service at the War Correspondents Memorial at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra on Monday, 22 September 2025.

Representatives from the C.E.W Bean Foundation, The Australian War Memorial, and Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) will participate in the commemoration and the RSL and the Bean Foundation will lay wreaths in honour of the War Correspondents we’ve lost.

RSL National President and C.E.W. Bean Foundation Chair Greg Melick said the ceremony would be an important remembrance of Australia’s war correspondents and a reminder of the risks they endure alongside Australia’s military personnel.

“Over the years, a number of Australian correspondents have paid the ultimate price reporting on conflicts. We lost reporters during WWII and in Vietnam, as well as in other conflicts in South-East Asia, East Timor and Iraq,” Greg Melick said.

“Unfortunately, worldwide, threats to journalists in conflict zones are increasing. In 2023, on average, a journalist or media worker was killed or murdered every four days. In 2024, it was once every three days.

“Tragically, since October last year, the war in Gaza has seen more journalists killed than the combined reporters’ deaths in World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the wars in Yugoslavia in the 1990s and 2000s, and the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of almost 30 media representatives.

“Most of the reporters harmed or killed, in Gaza and Ukraine, are local journalists who often face great risks, standing alone in the face of extraordinary violence.” Greg Melick said this reality was also impacting on news coverage, as was the decreasing number of experienced foreign correspondents in conflict zones, due to long term shifts in the global media industry.

“This is a great concern as reliable and objective information about wars and conflicts is essential to inform the world about the causes and conduct of wars and the toll on civilian populations.

“So, it is vital that Australia honours those who have reported on our nation’s involvement in past wars and conflicts and also that we support those who are risking their lives to bring us news of current conflicts around the world.”

The commemoration will mark the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the War Correspondents’ Memorial, established by the C E W Bean Foundation. The service will particularly acknowledge the Balibo Five journalists, just days before the 50th anniversary of their murder at the hands of Indonesian soldiers in East Timor.

Media and members of the public are invited to attend the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the War Correspondents Memorial commemoration, commencing at 9.30 am on Monday 22 September. Media intending to cover the event are asked to advise RSL no later than 15 September by emailing: rsvp@rsl.org.au