December 30, 2009 a woman by the name of Michelle Lang became the first reporter to die in Afghanistan since the Canadian military began its mission in 2002. The armoured vehicle she was travelling in was hit by a bomb killing Ms. Lang and four soldiers. Michelle Lang was a brave and accomplished journalist but through the voices of the people who knew her well we also learned that she truly loved what she did. I don’t want to revisit the loss but instead speak to the passion and accomplishments of people like Ms. Lang and other women who report from the edge.

Reporters and correspondents who are embedded with the military, covering the conflicts around the world or whom takes us to epicentre of natural disasters, are a unique breed. Over the last ten years we have seen multiple examples of this; 911 coverage, 2004 Tsunami, New Orleans, Iraq invasion, conflicts in Afghanistan and Sudan. Beyond the locations, one of the curious things is a reporter’s love of a story. Risking life and limb they tell us what is happening in places, with real people and events. Through their eyes and ears a story develops to increase our knowledge and shape our opinions.