Since 1 January 2011, Belgian artist Dieter Ohler has spent every day recording newspaper headlines about deaths around the world, creating thousands of handwritten pages that explore how journalism turns human lives into numbers.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s writings form a profound and enduring critique of violence, advocating for nonviolent resistance as both a moral imperative and a strategic means of confronting injustice, structural oppression, and state power.

The article discusses the overwhelming impact of news about global violence and conflicts, emphasizing the importance of empathy and a balanced perspective in the face of tragedies like those in Gaza, Ukraine, and Israel, and drawing inspiration from Paul Klee’s “Angelus Novus” as a metaphor for understanding history and humanity amidst chaos.

Nastya Stanko, an experienced Ukrainian war reporter, discusses her journey into journalism, the challenges of reporting from her invaded country, and the balance between empathy and objectivity.

In his 2023 lecture at the Festival of Writing and Ideas, Dr. Iain Overton reflects on the persistent suffering of war victims throughout history, underscoring the critical need for empathy towards those fleeing from conflict zones, challenging discriminatory media rhetoric, and urging us to recognise our shared humanity in order to foster a compassionate, welcoming society.