Posted on 02/04/2005 10:26:12 AM PST by quidnunc
In war, mistakes happen and innocents are often killed. For journalists covering the action, the risk is extremely high. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 36 were killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2004, some unfortunately as a result of U.S. fire. But were any of these journalists targeted for death, as CNN chief news executive Eason Jordan recently suggested?
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, during a discussion on media and democracy, Mr. Jordan apparently told the audience that "he knew of 12 journalists who had not only been killed by U.S. troops in Iraq, but they had in fact been targeted," according to a report on the forum's Web site (www.forumblog.org). The account was corroborated by the Wall Street Journal and National Review Online, although no transcript of the discussion has surfaced. Rep. Barney Frank and Sen. Christopher Dodd were also present, but calls to their offices were not returned in time for publication.
In any event, it's an assertion Mr. Jordan has made before. In November, as reported in the London Guardian, Mr. Jordan said, "The reality is that at least 10 journalists have been killed by the U.S. military, and according to reports I believe to be true journalists have been arrested and tortured by U.S. forces." This is very serious stuff, if true. Yet aside from Mr. Jordan's occasional comments, there's no evidence to support it. Mr. Jordan's almost immediate backpedaling seems to confirm this. In a statement to blogger Carol Platt Liebau, Mr. Jordan said, "To be clear, I do not believe the U.S. military is trying to kill journalists in Iraq. I said so during the forum panel discussion. But, nonetheless, the U.S. military has killed several journalists in Iraq in cases of mistaken identity."
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Im waiting for CNN to release the actual audio or a full-written transcript of Eason Jordans remarks in Davos, Switzerland. That will clarify and to pinch CNNs word properly contextualize Jordans alleged anti-US slur. We do know this: Jordans statement whether chitchat or slander was made before an international audience that included a score of Third World elites. These are the ruling class fat cats who have a big say back home about who gets to do what. They are the movers and shakers who have power to influence industrial concessions and heres the kicker in this analysis with a wink and a nod can grant a news organization access to people and places. These elites are themselves potential news sources, bigshots who can add hardhitting soundbites.
Hugh Hewitt has a long post rich with links to discussion about Jordans gossip in Davos. The newsdissector.org site has an interesting slant. The CaptainsQuarters blog run by Ed Morrissey adds some historical depth. This post from powerline has an email passed on from Jordan which as I read it confuses rather than clarifies. (But go read it thats the fair thing to do.)
There are many reasons for CNN to make a full, complete disclosure, and they go beyond mere clarity of expression. I think this is the biggest: If Jordan did say he believes the US military targeted journalists (implying physical targeting) then we need to hear his evidence premeditated murder is more than political scandal, its crime. This would be a bigger crime than Abu Ghraib.
Theres a second reason: CNN has a corporate skeleton rattling in its closet, and the skeleton involves Jordan. It also involves a deal with a local ruling class in this case, Saddam Hussein and his pals.
This is no allegation. Jordan wrote an essay for the NY Times admitting his network regularly withheld information about Saddams evil regime because thats what it took to keep the bureau open. (Heres a link to the abstract of Jordans The News We Kept to Ourselves which ran in the NY Times on April 11, 2003. The abstract doesnt do justice to the depravity of Jordans op-ed.)
-snip-
(Austin Bay in Austin Bay Blog, January 3, 2004)
To Read This Article Click Here
Is this the same clown who prostrated himself before Saddam and Uday? All in order that CNN could continue to air propaganda from Baghdad Bob?
Was this in today's print edition? Will it be in tomorrow's?
As long as it is only online, it will only reach those who already know. Once it breaks out of cyberspace, the story will have to be covered by the rest of the media, even if it is one column inch on page Q34.
How many of our soldiers have died protecting these interlopers?
How many innocents civilians and soldiers have paid the ultimate price for "sensational headlines"?
How many "Geraldos'" have gone undetected?
Let's have some proof, before spewing accusations.
I think this Dude ought to go to Iraq and see what more he can dig up,,never mind, I shoujldn't be saying stuff like this or I could get "counseled" just like one of our generals.
Yes it is. And did the same with Fidel to ensure continued coverage of the Caribbean people's paradise.
I should include a handy "tip" to western journalists who choose to cover action in a war zone.
tip- NEVER stand between a howitzer and it's target.
I can't fugure out why Drudge isn't running with this story. He seems to love stories that put CNN in a bad light.
I've been sending him blog info for days.
Maybe he's waiting for Sunday before his radio show to highlight it with the blue lights.
Eason is my main bro-ham! Stop playa hatin', ya hear?(!)
Amazing that the Lame Stream Press Totally ignores this. It shows how corrupt the OldBoy Liberal Mutual Protection Club is.
They shirk the oft-stated mission of the fourth estate, i.e., speaking "truth to power", in favor of cutting deals with petty despots who'll be able to increase their company's profit margin.
Eason Jordan should be ashamed of himself.
Another Dan Blather.
Too many believe that having the word Press on their jacket will protect them.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, during a discussion on media and democracy, Mr. Jordan apparently told the audience that "he knew of 12 journalists who had not only been killed by U.S. troops in Iraq, but they had in fact been targeted," according to a report on the forum's Web site (www.forumblog.org).< snip >
In any event, it's an assertion Mr. Jordan has made before. In November, as reported in the London Guardian, Mr. Jordan said, "The reality is that at least 10 journalists have been killed by the U.S. military, and according to reports I believe to be true journalists have been arrested and tortured by U.S. forces." This is very serious stuff, if true. Yet aside from Mr. Jordan's occasional comments, there's no evidence to support it. Mr. Jordan's almost immediate backpedaling seems to confirm this. In a statement to blogger Carol Platt Liebau, Mr. Jordan said, "To be clear, I do not believe the U.S. military is trying to kill journalists in Iraq. I said so during the forum panel discussion. But, nonetheless, the U.S. military has killed several journalists in Iraq in cases of mistaken identity."
Good grief! What a jerk to accuse U.S. Troops of that.
bump!
News anchors Dan Rather and Peter Jennings, NPR Reporter Cokie Roberts, along with a U.S. Marine assigned to protect them, were hiking through the Iraq desert one day when they were captured by Iraqis.
They were tied up, led to a village, and brought before the leader. The leader said, "I am familiar with your western custom of granting the condemned a last wish; so, before we kill and dismember you, do you have any last requests?"
Dan Rather said, "Well, I'm a Texan; so I'd like one last bowlful of hot spicy chili."
The leader nodded to an underling who left and returned with the chili. Rather ate it all and said, "Now I can die content."
Peter Jennings said, "I am Canadian, so I'd like to hear the song 'O Canada' one last time."
The leader nodded to a terrorist who had studied the Western world and knew the music. He returned with some rag-tag musicians and played the anthem. Jennings sighed and declared he could now die peacefully.
Cokie Roberts said, "I'm a reporter to the end. I want to take out my tape recorder and describe the scene here and what's about to happen. Maybe someday someone will hear it and know that I was on the job until the end."
The leader directed an aide to hand over the tape recorder and Roberts dictated some comments. She then said, "Now I can die happy.
The leader turned and said, "And now, Mr. U.S. Marine, what is your final wish?"
"Kick me in the ass," said the Marine.
"What?" asked the leader. "Will you mock us in your last hour?"
"No, I'm not kidding. I want you to kick me in the ass," insisted the Marine. So the leader shoved him into the open, and kicked him in the ass.
The Marine went sprawling, but rolled to his knees, pulled a 9mm pistol from inside his cammies, and shot the leader dead. In the resulting confusion, he leapt to his knapsack, pulled out his M4 carbine, and sprayed the Iraqis with gunfire. In a flash, all the Iraqis were either dead or fleeing for their lives.
As the Marine was untying Rather, Jennings, and Roberts, they asked him, Why didn't you just shoot them? Why did you ask them to kick you in the ass?"
"What," replied the Marine, "and have you three assholes call me the aggressor?"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.