Apr 9, 2013

Psychiatrist Wins Peabody Award for Documentary on the Psychological Cost of War

By

Nadia Radovini

Congratulations to Psychiatry Professor Anthony Feinstein whose documentary Under Fire: Journalists in Combat recently won a prestigious Peabody award for capturing the psychological cost of covering war.

“We are proud of Anthony for this truly outstanding achievement,” said Professor Ari Zaretsky and Chief of Psychiatry at Sunnybrook, who described Feinstein as the department's “renaissance psychiatrist” and a “uniquely gifted and inquisitive academic neuropsychiatrist.”

Feinstein will be presented the award at a gala on May 20 in New York City. The Peabody Awards, the oldest awards in broadcasting, are considered among the most prestigious prizes in electronic media. The Peabodys recognize excellence and meritorious work by radio and television stations, networks, webcasters, producing organizations and individuals.

The 16-member Peabody Board is a distinguished panel of television critics, industry practitioners and experts in culture and the arts. Selection is made by the board following review by special screening committees of University of Georgia faculty, students, and staff. Out of 1000 entries, there are on average only between 25-35 Peabody Award winners chosen each year.

A Sunnybrook neuropsychiatrist, Feinstein's research interests span the depth and breadth of psychiatry. He is publishing seminal research on the neuropsychiatric aspects of multiple sclerosis while at the same time investigating the previously unrecognized mental health morbidity of journalists, who because of their work, are routinely exposed to severely traumatic events. The film was also short-listed for a 2012 Academy Award nomination.

For more info on the film and where it is distributed, please visit underfirejournalistsincombat.webs.com. The film will be re-airing on Documentary Channel HD, Canada on April 21, 2013, at 8 pm Eastern Standard Time.

Below is a clip from Under Fire's special Toronto screening in 2012.