War reporting as a speciality in journalism: An example of the contribution of Anadolu Agency war reporting education to specialization

Wars have consistently been a topic of interest throughout human history. Before the Industrial Revolution, it was only of interest to those who were involved in wars. However, globalization and changes in the field of communication have brought about change in this field as well. As Mcluhan famously stated that "the world is a global village", a field of reporting that tells the world about wars, namely "War Reporting", has emerged. War reporting has become one of the most challenging and vital branches of journalism. Journalists in this field are in charge of providing timely information that can influence public perception, shape policy-making, and even direct the course of conflicts. There are extremely high stakes and enormous responsibilities. It requires a mixture of courage, empathy and ethical clarity. War correspondents work at the intersection of danger and duty. They bear the responsibility of staying alive and providing vital information with readers, viewers and listeners. Therefore, war reporting is a field of specialization that does not accept mistakes, and necessitates professionalism. This study aims to evaluate and identify the experiences and assessments of correspondents who participated in the Anadolu Agency's war journalism training program and subsequently served in conflict zones. The study employs qualitative research methods, using interviews as the primary technique, with data collected through semi-structured interviews. According to the findings, the war journalism training was highly beneficial for correspondents working in the field, enhancing their war reporting skills and equipping them to perform their duties more effectively. Among the training modules, first aid and advanced driving techniques were found to be particularly effective; however, it was also noted that the training modules should be revisited and revised. Additionally, this training significantly contributed to the specialization of war correspondents by enabling them to produce more in-depth and impactful reports. It was concluded that the training made Anadolu Agency's war correspondents more sensitive to ethical issues, thereby fostering more responsible practices in war journalism. Keywords: War Reporting, Anadolu Agency, War Journalism Training, Journalism, specialization