Final answer:
A war correspondent must educate the public, responsibly report news, and often make complex decisions about what to cover, demonstrating the role's impact on public awareness and international response to events.
Step-by-step explanation:
If your aunt were a war correspondent working for a newspaper, she would have many significant responsibilities. One of her primary duties would be to educate people and use the media responsibly, as emphasized by Christiane Amanpour. A war correspondent must actively seek out stories rather than wait for them to appear. They play a crucial role in shaping public perception and must make thoughtful decisions about which stories to pursue or ignore.
The role also involves being on the cutting edge of reform, shedding light on significant events that could otherwise remain in the dark, as underreporting can lead to tragic consequences. For instance, Amanpour regrets the lack of media coverage of the Rwanda genocide, which exemplifies the importance of media attention in mobilizing international response.
Historically, during times of war, the media has had to navigate the fine line between the public's right to know and the government's need for confidentiality. This responsibility includes making decisions about the suppression of sensitive information and resisting tendencies like pack journalism, where reporters may follow leads from others without conducting their independent investigations.