Six Journalists Among Iraq Casualties

CBS NEWS ^ | March 22, 2003

[Bad~Rodeo]

(CBS) One French and two American journalists were killed after crossing the border with Iraq into Nasariyah, Central Command reported Saturday. No names and affiliations were given. A third American was injured.

Centcom in Doha says a total of six journalists have been killed.

Two British ITN reporters in Umm Qasr were killed by Iraqis after passing a checkpoint.

An apparent car bomb killed an Australian cameraman and at least four other people Saturday at a checkpoint near a camp of a militant group linked to al Qaeda.

Also Saturday, ITN television news reported that three members of one of its news crews were missing after coming under fire en route to Basra in southern Iraq.

The missing men were identified as reporter Terry Lloyd, cameraman Fred Nerac and translator Hussein Othman.

Another cameraman, Daniel Demoustier, was injured as the crew drove toward Basra in two vehicles. ITN said in London that Demoustier was not able to see what happened to his colleagues.

The checkpoint blast in northern Iraq injured eight people, who were taken to hospitals.

Journalists had gone to the checkpoint to interview refugees after the area — a base for the al Qaeda-linked militant group Ansar al-Islam — came under attack overnight by U.S. cruise missiles.

One of the cars coming out with the refugees exploded, witnesses and reporters said.

Killed at the checkpoint were a journalist, another civilian and three Kurdish soldiers. Their names were not made public.

The shattered remains of a car were scattered around the checkpoint, on a road near the village of Gerdigo.

The area is part of the Kurdish-controlled enclave protected from Saddam Hussein's forces by U.S. and British aircraft that patrol the no-fly zone over northern Iraq.

However, the Ansar al-Islam camp is outside the control of Kurdish forces.

[Bad~Rodeo]

[Commander8]

I propose an Ernie Pyle award, to be given to journalists who die covering conflicts.

[Jeff Chandler]

I sure hope nobody from FOX News was hurt.

[Amerigomag]

I propose an Ernie Pyle award, to be given to journalists who die covering conflicts

Hope you aren't confusing the Ernie Pyle Award with the Darwin Award.

To get to were they died, these fellows in southern Iraq had to ignore Franks' valid warning and sneak around coalition check points set up to protect these fellows from themselves.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I read somewhere wher Hemingway used to introduce himself to soldiers as Ernie Roid, the poor soldiers pile.

[LibKill]

About 20 years ago I read Phillip Caputo's "War Correspondent".

In the last few pages he asked and answered the question, "Was it worth it?".

His answer was no. He saw colleagues die for a few feet of film, for a few snapshots.

War is best left to professional warriors. Wannabes need not apply.

[rodeocowboy]

God bless our journalist bringing us such excellent pictures of "shock and awe."

[Amerigomag]

I sure hope nobody from FOX News was hurt

Always possible but much less likely since FNC is cooperating with Franks.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[stands2reason]

ITN may want to rethink their safety procedures out in the warzone...

[hoosierham]

I propose the journalists stay the h*ll out of the line of fire ; trying to get to an objective before friendly troops is plain stupid. Ever think the losing side just might resent jerks taking pictures of their humiliation ? And those having guns might use them ?

No awards for bravery ; but condolences to their loved ones. Now if the rest of the media will just learn a lesson here.

[LiteKeeper]

bump

[Timesink]

Strange thing. The number of jornalist casualties(6) almost the same as casualties of battle troops (7 to now as I red). Why that?

Three letters: E, G, and O.

[xm177e2]

Almost as many journalists are dead as soldiers. Terrible.

[rwfromkansas]

No kidding.

You know what though, they died doing what they loved to do, which also happened to be a job. They also knew the risks beforehand.

But, I feel bad for their families.

[Born to Conserve]

The soldiers are dying for a good cause, what are the reporters dying for?

[DoughtyOne]

I believe it was FoxNews that reported these were free-lance journalist teams. Those who enter Iraq without a close affiliation with the military command are risking their lives. The proof is in, sadly.

[CyberAnt]

I think ALL FOX people are embedded or at some stationary locations.

[RnMomof7]

I think ALL FOX people are embedded or at some stationary locations.

No I saw a couple on the move with the 3rd armored I believe so I assume there are more moving..I also know CNN had a couple that were on the move

I agree that journalists lost in war should be eligable for a civilian medal

I supose we will learn the names tonight after families are notified