War photographer and award winner Harald Henden: – Credibility is journalism’s most important weapon

– The media’s most important capital is credibility. This is precisely why it has become no less important to have your own photographers present. On the contrary – it is more important than ever before.
– Because also the individual photographer’s most important capital is credibility. When I put my name under a photograph, readers should be able to trust that the content is correct, no further verification is needed. It is a credibility that takes many years to build up, but which can lie in ruins with a single mistake, said Harald Henden (63) when he received the Free Speech Award on Tuesday evening.

Henden is the first still photographer to receive the award.

The photograph as a weapon

Henden talked about how photography can quickly become a weapon, not only for documentation and information, but for the parties. He pointed to concrete examples from his own work and from well-known wars in history.

– We are very aware of the danger of being used for propaganda purposes in all armed conflicts. Sometimes it feels like the only right thing to do is to put down the camera in silent protest, said the experienced war photographer.

War photographer since 1991

– First and foremost, Harald Henden receives this award because he is unique as a war and disaster photographer. He has, with perseverance and risk to his own life, traveled to front lines and conflict areas all over the world to photograph important news events – always with the civilian population in mind, said Stiftelsen Fritt Ord’s chairman Grete Brochmann.

– The ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza actualize the importance of photo documentation, not least to reveal the effects of war on the ground and violations of international law, said Brochmann.

Henden has documented global events since 1989, including the first Gulf War, the Balkan Wars, Kosovo, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Gaza and Ukraine. Handen was hit in the head by a bullet on the West Bank in 2001.

The infrastructure of freedom of expression

Chairman Grete Brochmann also spoke about the image’s impact.

– Photography has the power to define, not just document. Documentary photography and photojournalism are part of the infrastructure of freedom of expression, she said.

Brochmann thanked Henden on behalf of Fritt Ord for his efforts, despite the personal costs of war journalism, such as the wear and tear of always having to be ready to leave in five minutes and thus living a life of constant alertness.

– One of the most important roles of the press in war and disasters is to be present early on to get the best possible access to uncensored documentation of what happens when conflicts develop, she said.

Addressing Henden, who has been open about a fatal cancer diagnosis, she concluded with:

– Today you receive Fritt Ord’s award for a long and impressive career in the service of freedom of expression and communication. Your photos will live on.