Lara Logan Talks Foreign Correspondence, War, Journalism on Kalb Report

Lara Logan (center) joined The Kalb Report at the National Press Club.

While other kids were at the beach, she worked at the newspaper. Such was the upbringing of CBS News' Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Lara Logan during the year's final edition of the Kalb Report last night.

Logan, a correspondent for 60 Minutes from South Africa, spoke of how the injustices of apartheid instilled within her values to stand up against what she believed was wrong.  As an embedded journalist, Logan has spent years with soldiers in areas ravaged by war and would gladly trade the comforts of a hot bed for covering a story that puts a fire in her.

"War coverage asks more of you," Logan said.  "The story is bigger than you.  I didn't do it because I'd become famous, I did it because I wanted to."

On embedded journalism, Logan discussed the rules embedded journalists abide by given the amount of judgment calls reporters must make and the bond of trust they develop over time.  She said she never encountered a story that was more important than her integrity.

"Your job is to be a true journalist, not be vilified for giving your opinion when asked," Logan said.


Earlier this year in February, Logan was sexually assaulted in Cairo during the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak.  In spite of the experience, she still continues to report, but with a new fear that not many journalists have spoken up about.

"You carry the idea of 'It's not gonna be me' and then one day it is.  I hadn't thought of that before," Logan said.  "I went back because journalists are anarchists.  We don't like to be told what to do."


Logan spoke of giving a voice to the unheard stories in order to give them a place in history.  This is part of what has motivated her to remain embedded in war zones for long periods and not be a "parachute in, parachute out" reporter.


She gave parting advice to aspiring journalists in the audience trying to break into the field in light of advancements with social media and quick access to news.

"One thing that's endured is people's demand to know the truth," Logan said.  "Believe in the truth, find your niche and don't expect someone to do it for you."