Posted on 05/30/2006 6:12:40 PM PDT by Mobile Vulgus
Anyone who pays even scant attention to the news cannot have helped but see that CBS news correspondent, Kimberly Dozier, was severely injured by one of those insidious IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) that have been responsible for so many of the casualties to coalition forces and common Iraqi citizens in Iraq over the last few years.
Ms. Dozier is certainly brave enough for take the call to go to Iraq and attempt to learn what it is like there and to file her stories from that turbulent region. There is certainly no reason to laugh at her injuries. It is also sad that members of her news crew were killed by the same explosion. We see the names of those men in every report about this incident. Cameraman, Paul Douglas, and sound man, James Brolan, lost their lives in pursuit of the story that day. Brave souls all, regardless whether you think their work is ultimately good or bad.
But, here is the problem that I have with the reports of this incident...
We are deluged with the media falling all over itself to tell us the names of these fallen reporters (whom they invariably treat as "heroes"), we are regaled on how more reporters have died in Iraq than any other conflict. We've been treated to a nice bio of Dozier, Brolan and Douglas with every report.
OK. That's fine, such as it is.
But here is how reporter Christine Hauser from the New York Times described this incident half way through her story: (For story Click here)
"The three members of the CBS team had stepped out of their armored Humvee to accompany troops inspecting a checkpoint manned by the Iraqi Army, a report on the CBS News Web site said today. They were wearing protective glasses, flak vests, and helmets when the bomb went off, killing the two CBS journalists at the scene as well as an American soldier and an Iraqi interpreter."Notice those last 10 words?
"...as well as an American soldier and an Iraqi interpreter."The treatment of this story smacks of self-indulgence, reeks of the media making the story about THEMSELVES instead of the conflict. And notice that we get no glowing bio of this unnamed American soldier and faceless Iraqi interpreter?
To the NY Times, it's all about the media. But, the NYT isn't unusual with this incident. Nearly every MSM outlet, print or electronic, are treating the story the same way. Many of the stories don't even bother to mention the soldier or the Iraqi who died, much less give their names.
No, it's one big pity party for the Media. Those poor, poor heroes in the media. They are dying when all they want to do is bring us the story. Giving their lives so that we might be "informed".
...Oh, and some soldier died, too.
They sure make it hard to to feel sorry for them!
Thank You
good post.
What a bunch of self absorbed idiots.
Sorry to hear about Christine Dozier, but that American Soldier has a name, right?
I understand the need for notification of kin, but we saw the exact same thing awhile back when another correspondent was hurt.
Media agonizes about the reporters, but the soldiers?
Only used for political purposes.
Sheesh!
That's pretty much how it's been reported on all the news shows, including some on FNC. Infuriating.
They all reported it this way, Fox News as well. I was disgusted by it, and sent FNC an email. As for the other "news" organizations, they are not worth my time sending them an email. Recall when the ABC News guy got injured, they reported it the same way. Media are special, at least in their own minds. Its sad when anyone is killed in war, but the way the media present themselves in this instance is pretty darn disgusting.
When one or more of our brave fighting military are killed by another cowardly IED, the media say: no skin off our asses, just add it to the deathwatch we-hate-Bush ghoulish total.
But if a media person is injured or killed in the same incident, it becomes
STOP THE F#&KING PRESSES! THIS IS SERIOUS SH#T!!
Whatever happened to the Christian Science Monitor reporter who was kidnapped and released? After making some rather questionable statements she seems to have disappeared.
They don't see how that projects to the families that have loved ones serving in the military, or to most ordinary Americans.
These people are so out of touch.
Jill Carol, yes she has disappeared I thought she would write a book. Time will tell.
Well, they're special - those news folks are. They are there for YOU - to keep you informed with unbiased reporting on the facts. They go of their own selfless volition in order to provide a public service, so when one gets killed or injured it's important to give you all the details so you can appreciate the sacrifices the MSM makes to bring you true and relevant information... (tear in my eye for my fallen comrades and bitterness in my voice you can't hear)
That's the VERY first thing I noticed when I heard it. I said to myself, the soldier should be the headline, and the damn journalists afterthoughts. But the drive by media is so into itself, the world revolves around them, or at least that's what they think.
So true!
It wasnt until I read the (conservative) paper today that i knew a soldier had been killed as well. I was similarly enraged at the typically poor coverage by the MSM.
I think of them as propaganda wing of Al-Jazeera and should be targets of opportunity when possible...
they're just there to insure that Americans follow the ROE or if they screw up in order to get "video" of the atrocity.
I'm surprised that more don't get fragged out.
I suppose it speaks well of the honor of our troops that they don't (subtly) ascertain the Marxism level of the embedded reporters and take them to accordingly dangerous surroundings. I certainly can't claim to be quite that honorable.
It's no surprise about the MSM's reaction. They just suffered three casualties, two of these are fatalities. In other news, some evil U.S. soldier got killed, and it's all George Bush's fault.
I'm not going to celebrate the bombing of a news crew. Since they view our Soldiers and President as their enemies, I will treat them likewise. I will mourn the loss of another American Hero, and pray for his family in their time of grief.
Who pays for medical care and transportation of wounded reporters? She appears to be getting exactly the same treatment as our wounded warriors. I do not have a problem with the military helping to save her life but I do have a problem with my paying for her care.
I assume CBS will eventually be presented with a bill. Does anyone know any more about this?
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