John Martinkus joined the Journalism, Media and Communications staff in January 2009.
Since 1995 John has worked as a journalist covering conflicts in East Timor, Indonesia, Iraq, Afghanistan and several other countries. He has written three nonfiction books and worked predominantly outside of Australia in wire service, newspaper, magazine and television journalism.
From 2004 to 2008 he worked for SBS Dateline, filming and reporting stories for that program, mostly in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I was fortunate enough to begin my career working internationally in East Timor to witness that nations struggle for independence. It was an experience that impressed upon me the importance of journalism and it’s role in holding those in power accountable for their actions,” John said.
“Covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also taught me a lot about how governments, their militaries and those seeking power try to influence the media, and I believe I can offer some insight for students in to how to interpret the media and work in the media.
“I’m hoping to be able to pass on some of what I have learned working across these different mediums and in these environments and to offer some practical instruction on how to put together a story in video as well as in print.”