In any war, there is a concealment of certain kinds of setbacks because it's propaganda for the enemy.

I never desired to go into war zones. I never had any thought about it. It sort of just happened as part of the job.

In any war, there is a concealment of certain kinds of setbacks because it's propaganda for the enemy.

If I'm in danger then it's usually my fault and it's up to me to get myself out of it. I am not in it just to get an adrenalin rush. No way!

Up until about 12 years ago we never, ever, wore flak jacket or helmets but now the nastiness has got worse.

I also read modern novels - I have just had to read 60 as I am one of the judges for the Orange Fiction Prize.

It's totally mistaken to suppose that an armed escort is going to give a journalist any protection - on the contrary, journalists who turn up surrounded by armed personnel are just turning themselves into targets and in even worse danger.