[mware]

I am going way back, but does any FReepers recall a televised discussion between a group of reporters during the Vietnam War? In that discussion they were asked if they were with the VC and an ambush was about to happen on American troops would they intervene to warn the American troops. One of the network anchors actually said as a journalist they felt obliged not to warn them.

[BruceS]

I just mentioned that show to my wife after reading this earlier this morning. Yes, I remember the show, I think it was on PBS. The journalist actually said something to the effect that he wouldn't warn the US troops because he was a journalist and not an American soldier.

Later in the discussion, a former Marine lieutenant (who was in Vietnam) was asked if he was evacuating an area by helicopter (ahead of the enemy overrunning the LZ) and saw some US journalists coming, would he hold the helicopter for them. His answer was that he wouldn't wait because he didn't see any Americans, just journalists.

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

One of the network anchors actually said as a journalist they felt obliged not to warn them.

---

I *think* it was Peter Jennings.

[cherokee1]

The show I most likely saw that discussion on was the one Paul Duke did on PBS every Friday night. In those years it was about the best we had for current event info. Borderline pathetic but still the best we had.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Peter Jennings and Mike Wallace Agree-Reporters First, Americans Second

FRONTLINE: Chapter I Why We Hate the Media

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Link to Mike Wallace & Peter Jennings (Jennings says he WOULD warn the soldiers; Wallace indicates he WOULD NOT)

Angry reaction from Marine Colonel George Connell (He WOULD save the sorry journalist's ass)

Both open in Media Player.