War reporters often pay ultimate price

MICHELLE MORAN ASST MANAGING EDITOR MLM724@CABRINI EDU

The war in Iraq is not only taking the lives of American soldiers but also, recently, an increasing number of journalists. The war has already claimed the lives of 66 reporters and injured many others such as ABC’s anchor, Bob Woodruff.

The record number of journalist killed during the war in Iraq is the second highest documented number of reporter fatalities during a war.

Some reporters feel it’s their duty to tell the story of what is actually happening during the war. By recording what is actually happening during the war it shapes America’s feelings and conscience over what is going on because the country relies on the

It’s a different time, and there are endless numbers of media outlets all trying to get the story, even ‘Joe’the blogger can go over there to try to get the story.

James Hedtke, a history professor, said, “The high numbers of reporter fatalities is probably due to the fact that the battle in Iraq is an insurgency so there is no real line of battle defined where reporters can go or stay away from, it’s everywhere.” Hedtke said, “It’s a different time, and there are endless numbers of media outlets all trying to get the story, even “Joe” the blogger can go over there to try to get the story.”

So why are so many journalists still risking their lives by going to these dangerous war areas to cover stories?

Kim Blacka, a senior graphic design major, said, “I think journalists cover war because it is a more thrilling and intriguing experience to witness it first hand.”

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Sports Editor Photography Editor Asst. Photo Editor Web Editor Adviser media to obtain information. Jill Carroll, an American freelance reporter, was kidnapped inIraq on Jan. 7. She is still being held captive. “Covering the war gives journalists an opportunity to recall the noblest tenets of their profession and fulfill the public service role of journalism,” Carroll wrote in a review about reporting in Iraq before she was captured.

Dr. Jolyon Girard, a history professor, said, “The relationship between journalists and the military has changed greatly over the years.” Girard said. “In Vietnam I never spoke to any journalists. Now the military exploits the press by involving them in battle, which can sway a reporter from

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Some reporters who are on the battlefield with the troops don’t focus on the danger but rather the story. Martin Fletcher, a NBC news correspondent, said, “However, it rarely occurs to me that I could get hurt. I feel impervious to danger, which of course is nonsense, but that’s really the only way one can operate in a dangerous job. Firemen, soldiers, etc. — few go into a situation really believing ‘I could get hurt.’We go into the situation thinking, ‘I won’t get hurt... somebody else may!’Otherwise you wouldn’t do it.”

Most reporters agree that their job is a very important part of recording history with first-hand a ccounts. There have been reporters in the thick of battle at virtually every battle since the civil war, when the reporters were actually soldiers. Byron Pitts, a CBS news correspondent, said, “If journalists pulled out, t ruth would suffer.History requires witnesses.”

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