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Paul Conroy (journalist)

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Paul Conroy
Conroy in July 2019
Born (1964-06-04) 4 June 1964 (age 60)
Liverpool, England
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Freelance photographer, filmmaker
Spouse
Kate Baird
​
(m. 1998)​
Children3
Military career
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Artillery
Years of service1980–1987
RankGunner

Paul Conroy (born 4 June 1964) is a British freelance photographer and filmmaker who works in the British media. A former soldier with the Royal Artillery between 1980 and 1987, he has since worked extensively as a journalist in combat zones, producing footage from conflicts in the Balkans, the Middle East, and Libya. In 2011, he was shortlisted for the PRX Bayeux TV report along with Marie Colvin, a war correspondent with The Sunday Times.

Early life

Conroy was born on 4 June 1964 in Liverpool to Les Conroy and his wife Joan (née Mountain). He has two brothers and a sister.[1]

2011-2012 Syrian uprising

On 22 February 2012 during the Syrian uprising, Conroy was injured while covering events from the Syrian city of Homs, a stronghold of Syrian opposition forces, after the building where he and other journalists were based was shelled by Syrian government forces. Marie Colvin and French photojournalist Remi Ochlik were killed in the attack, while Conroy was injured along with another journalist, French reporter Édith Bouvier of Le Figaro.[2][3]

Conroy suffered leg injuries in the attack and was subsequently smuggled out of the city and across the Syrian border to Lebanon.[4] Avaaz coordinated the evacuation out of the city, but about twenty Syrian activists died during the evacuation operation.[5][6]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy described the killing of Colvin and Ochlik as an assassination. It is believed that the journalists were targeted.[7] The editor of The Sunday Times said he believed his reporter had been targeted. Conroy later described the situation in Homs as an "indiscriminate massacre" and "slaughter" and compared it to the destruction inflicted on Grozny during the Chechen Wars.[8]

Personal life

Conroy married Katherine Joye "Kate" Baird in Fort William, Highland, Scotland in 1998. They have three sons together: Max (born 1992), Kim (born 1994) and Otto (born 2001).[1] He is an avid supporter of local football club Liverpool F.C.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Shennan, Paddy (29 February 2012). "Family of Liverpool photographer Paul Conroy speak of their joy and relief after he escapes from Syria". liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  2. ^ باباعمرو إصابة صحفيين أجانب بشظايا 22-2-2012 on YouTube
  3. ^ "2 Journalists Are Among Scores Dead in Syrian Shelling". The New York Times. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Journalist Paul Conroy 'in good spirits' after Syria rescue". The Independent. Independent Print Ltd. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Profile: Global campaign group Avaaz". BBC News. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  6. ^ Deborah Amos (14 March 2012). "Aid Group's Role In Syria Pushes Limits". National Public Radio. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Syrians 'targeted journalists'". Times LIVE. News International. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  8. ^ Whitaker, Brian (2 March 2012). "Syria: Red Cross barred from Baba Amr". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Premier League predictions: Lawro v A Private War stars Paul Conroy and Jamie Dornan". BBC Sport. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
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