Last week I explained why I believe the media deserves an enormous ‘thank you’ for the important role they played during the bushfire crisis. Their coverage not only kept us up-to-date with vital information as it unfolded – it also gave a voice to the people affected by the crisis, allowing them to feel seen and supported at the worst time of their lives.
This week, the spotlight continues to be shone on the human impact of the devastating bushfire season in the Seven News special Hellfire: The Battle of Cobargo. I spoke with host, Denham Hitchcock.
DB: The recent scenes of devastation on the NSW south coast (and around the country) were unlike anything we’ve ever seen. How do you prepare when you get the call-up to cover an event like this?
DH: My role is different to the daily news cycle. Instead of covering what’s happening, my unit tries to focus on how and sometimes who we can help. Why did this happen? What would stop it happening again? Did we make mistakes somewhere in the lead up to this bushfire? Could something else have been done? Or was it a lost cause from the beginning?
DB: In your Seven News special, you travel specifically to the bushfire ravaged town of Cobargo. It’s hard for many of us to imagine the scale of loss the small community has faced. Can you talk us through your first reaction when you arrived on the scene?
DH: Disaster zones are complicated places. There’s grief, loss, anger, apathy, all in equal amounts. But I have found Australians to be remarkably resilient and courageous. Often thinking less about themselves than they should. Some of the people in our report this Tuesday at 9pm will leave you in awe.
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DB: Were you on the ground when the fires were still active? (If so) were you given pause for concern at any stage that you and your crew may be in harm’s way?
DH: Not close enough to be in harm’s way.
DB: You’ve filed reports in many dangerous situations throughout your career; do those kinds of thoughts ever impact the way you work?
DH: Not yet. I think about the people in the stories I have covered quite a lot. I still keep in touch with many of them sometimes ten years or more after the event. But my sadness or experience can never compare to theirs so I keep perspective and concentrate on doing a good job.
DB: What can we expect from ‘Hellfire: The Battle of Cobargo’?
DH: The fires this year moved faster, seemed more intense and burned for longer. Cobargo is a microcosm for the entire picture. The mistakes made here that turned this fire into a killer were made everywhere. We will explain this, and in the process stand alongside those who faced the fire front.
DB: What surprised you most in telling this story?
DH: The incredible strength of the Salway family who lost three generations in 24 hours.
DB: To what extent do stories like these sit with you after the cameras have stopped rolling?
DH: A long time.
DB: After the Black Saturday bushfires, a study by The University of Melbourne showed the journalists are at nearly as great a risk of suffering from PTSD related issues after covering traumatic events, as other first responders. How do you balance your desire to tell these important stories with the emotional toll it takes on you to delve into this kind of material?
DH: Keep perspective. We are visitors, for the people in the fire zones it’s their life. Nothing will compare to their loss, so don’t make it about your own.
DB: Throughout the bushfire crisis, the media played an incredibly crucial role in not only keeping people informed about the situation as it unfolded, but in sharing the very real human stories of loss and devastation with the world – leading to an unprecedented outpouring of support, both physical and financial. Does the responsibility of that weigh heavily when you set out to tell these stories?
DH: Yes. This is part of the important role of the media. Checks and balance, a voice for those who need it.
DB: After the devastating Tathra fires in March 2018, in which over 75 homes were lost in a matter of hours, it meant a lot to the people in the town to not be forgotten by the media at-large once the flames were extinguished. Do you have plans for follow-up coverage in Cobargo (and other bushfire affected areas) as the rebuilding continues?
DH: Yes. Every news organisation should.
To Denham – and all of his colleagues in the media, who do such important work keeping us informed during times like this, and beyond – the deepest gratitude.
I’ll try comment again…hope it sticks this time. Thx Denham for a wonderful disgusting provocative moving piece of reporting! Disgusting because of our governments neglect of communal and property rights to clear land and back burn when necessary and allow natural grazing rights to reduce fuel. Provocative because those rights cost lives and the salways..hannah..moved me to tears. Wonderful incredible reporting and my love to the captain of those firemen with his hands tied and lack of government support. I would love to see professor peter atwill (?) Take on the government for their absolute neglect of our land ..to have caused this devastation to our people..dead and alive..our native wildlife..flora and fauna. Listen to our past..our indigenous…our old bushies..the people who are our land!!!!