Frontline Television News
Encyclopedia
Frontline Television News was a cooperative of freelance cameramen formed during the chaos of the Romanian revolution in 1989. Founded by Vaughan Smith
Vaughan Smith
During the 90s Smith also ran Frontline News TV, an agency set up in 1989 to represent the interests of young video journalists who wanted to push the envelope of their profession. The workings of Frontline News TV captured the imagination of a generation of young freelancers and was described by...
, Peter Jouvenal, Rory Peck
Rory Peck
Rory Peck was a Northern-Irish freelance war cameraman who was killed while covering the events of the Russian constitutional crisis of 1993.-Work:...
and Nicholas della Casa, during the next 15 years they went on to film some of the most memorable images of modern television, despite paying a huge cost. Altogether eight cameramen, some linked directly with Frontline News TV, others indirectly, were killed while working.
Apart from providing independent news coverage of major events, many members used their military background and knowledge of local culture in places like Afghanistan to navigate dangerous battle situations and obtain pictures few other journalists could obtain. They also pioneered some technical innovations, such as using small Hi8 cameras in the early 1990s, and live satellite newsfeeds in the early 2000s.
In 2003, Vaughan Smith
Vaughan Smith
During the 90s Smith also ran Frontline News TV, an agency set up in 1989 to represent the interests of young video journalists who wanted to push the envelope of their profession. The workings of Frontline News TV captured the imagination of a generation of young freelancers and was described by...
, one of the two surviving founder members of Frontline News TV, turned the operation into a club in London aimed at offering a gathering place for those who believe in independent journalism, a place to remember colleagues that had died and a lobby to push for better support of the freelance community.
This became the Frontline Club
Frontline Club
The Frontline Club is a media club near London's Paddington Station. With a strong emphasis on conflict reporting, it aims to champion independent journalism, provide an effective platform from which to support diversity and professionalism in the media, promote safe practice, and encourage both...
, one of the leading media talking-shops in the UK today.
Frontline journalists who have died
- Nick della Casa (1960-1991)
- Rosanna della Casa (1960-1991)
- Roddy Scot (1971-2002)
- Charles Maxwell (1952-1991)
- Rory PeckRory PeckRory Peck was a Northern-Irish freelance war cameraman who was killed while covering the events of the Russian constitutional crisis of 1993.-Work:...
(1956-1993) - James MillerJames Miller (filmmaker)James Henry Dominic Miller was a Welsh cameraman, producer, and director, and recipient of numerous awards, including five Emmy Awards. He often worked with Saira Shah with whom he founded and operated an independent production company called Frostbite Productions in 2001...
(1968-2003) - Richard Wild (1978-2003)
- Carlos Mavroleon (1958-1998)