War is coming: journalism in the heart of conflict

  • Olaf Koens (Châtillon-sur-Seine, 1985) is a writer and journalist. He studied philosophy in Groningen and Brussels, and started working as a correspondent in Russia in 2008. He covered Russia and the former Soviet-Union extensively, and was named Journalist of the Year for his reporting on the downing of flight MH17 and the annexation of Crimea. Since 2015, he has reported from the Middle East, based out of Jerusalem and Istanbul. He reports on revolutions and wars and tries to look for small stories that provide insight into complex conflicts.

In this keynote, Olaf will share his experiences as a journalist in both well-known and forgotten conflict zones, highlighting the profound impact of war on people and societies—both abroad and at home. How do we tell stories in such complex circumstances? How do we bridge the gap in understanding? And how do we cope with trauma, especially when it strikes close to home? I’ll explore the role of objectivity, the importance of independence, and offer practical tips for journalists working under extreme conditions, in a world where war feels ever more imminent. It’s essential to keep telling these stories, even when they profoundly affect us, particularly at a time when trust in the media is at an all-time low.


Locatie:  Hertz
Tijd(en): 13:50 - 14:35
Spreker(s): Olaf Koens
Taal: ENG
Soort: Keynote
Thema: Journalistieke kennis & skills
9 september 2025
TivoliVredenburg
Utrecht

Hoe maak jij als journalist het verschil?

Op 9 september viert Mediahuis de journalistiek! Kom samen met ruim 250 collega-journalisten in het Utrechtse muziekgebouw TivoliVredenburg.

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