Under Fire: Journalists in Combat

TODAY, 9.30PM, SBS One

You can't help but be affected by this sobering documentary as a group of journalists describe their traumatic experiences in combat.

Under Fire gives insights into the psychological costs of war reporting - from post-traumatic stress disorder to mental breakdowns, depression, relationship problems, debilitating physical injuries and guilt over the loss of colleagues.

So why do they do it?

"You never feel as alive as when you're staring death in the face," ITN London correspondent Jon Steele says.

"I was trying to reach through the TV screen, grab people from their comfy chairs and drag them into my camera."