Tight Lips - Embedded Journalists Learn About Restricted Access Early On

abcnews ^ | March 15, 2003 | Ron Claiborne

[Indy Pendance]

A B O A R D U S S L I N C O L N, March 14 — The media who have been "embeded" with military units have been promised unprecedented access to cover the build-up to a possible conflict with Iraq and a war itself, if it happens.

But less than a week into the embedding, there is already a lot of bristling among some of the journalists aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier deployed to the Gulf region. Some of them — us — began muttering when we were told we had to be accompanied by our escorts — members of the ship's crew including some public affairs officers — everywhere we went except the restroom. The escorts also monitor our interviews with ship's personnel.

A few days into the embed, they were told to keep a record of who we speak to and what we talk about. We were told it was so they would have a log of how many people were spoken to and for what stories. Reporters are famously resistant to anyone monitoring them working.

Ordered to Leave

This week, Admiral John Kelly, head of carrier Task Force 50, had an "admiral's call" for enlisted sailors in the ship's cavernous hangar bay. Some of us were informed just before it took place that we should steer clear of the meeting because it was private. But not everyone got the word.

Witnesses say when two photographers accidentally wandered into the hangar bay during the meeting, the admiral stopped suddenly and barked at them. According to one reporter, the cameramen were confronted by armed guards and ordered to leave.

Another newspaper reporter who planned to do a story about the Navy's policy prohibiting fraternization between the sexes said interviews she had arranged with ship personnel were abruptly canceled because, she said she was told, the admiral did not like the subject matter.

Cynics had predicted that the military and journalists would never mix. The cynics are no doubt chuckling to themselves.

[Peach]

This sounds like one of the more dumb ideas our military has had in a while.

[thunders]

It would't be so stupid if we didn't have such stupid media! Of course they can't just wander around and report on anything they want to...people, mainly leftists (which the majority of the media seems to be), tend to forget about things like classified info. and troop safety....

[baseballmom]

It was my understanding that these "embedded" journalists were put through a "boot camp" to ready them for the rigors of the campaign.

One would also think they were given a boot camp on how not to give away our positions and put our troops in jeopardy.

I heard some talking heads discussing this today, and the idea of embedding journalists with the troops was to build a camradie between them. I suppose, theoretically, if a journalist has been eating, sleeping, and training with the troops, and got to know them, they'd be less inclined to give them up through their reporting.

But Mike Wallace and Peter Jennings would give them up - and publicly stated same.

[baseballmom]

Oh, I forgot to mention - not all journalists are to be embedded with troops. There are independent journalists who will be doing their own thing. (I heard this discussed on Fox). So the Pentagon has no say as to what they report.

Remember the CBS reporter Bob Simon, who decided to go out on his own in the 91 Gulf War? He was captured, and had a bad experience. Hmmm. Might want to rethink the solo act.

[Wolverine]

These media people ARE LOOKING for dirt and sensationalism that will please their editors and increase circulation. I wouldn't think they will be objective....they see money raises with every story.

The media whore and pimp for eachother.."THE CLUB"

[CasearianDaoist]

Hate to tell you but they tried this same sort of system in Viet Nam. We all know how that worked.

[genefromjersey]

Peach, in a way it's a smart idea:You are less likely to file a report that would endanger troops you are in close physical proximity to : not because you are being censored, but because you yourself are in mortal danger.

On the other side of the equation,the Media LOVE filling " empty airtime " with equally empty reporting, and are easily diverted into pursuing their love affair with themselves.

[Peach]

genefromjersey: although you are right about the upside to embedded journalists, there is a downside. War is so ugly, and it will be catalogued and photographed from all sides. The peaceniks will never allow us to go to war again. Their faint hearts just won't be able to take it. Actually, it will be difficult for all of us to "take it" but Churchill said something along the lines of "war is an awful thing, but it isn't the worst thing". (paraphrase - having a CRS moment).

[Timm]

Whine, whine, whine.

Among the beliefs of the American press that are incorrigibly resistant to reality is the belief that there is a large audience for these the-press-is-the-story pieces.

This business about being monitored-- as if restricted access on a warship during war is any big surprise-- is probably the most interesting thing we're going to read, too. Brace yourself for the on-the-spot reporters to film pieces explaining how big their cots are, when they have to eat, how loud it is on the ship, and all of the other "rigors" they undergo.

Here's a hint to any reporters out there: if you don't like the Navy telling you what to do, don't volunteer for a combat tour on a warship.

[observer5]

" Reporters are famously resistant to anyone monitoring them working. "

Except if they work for CNN or BBC.

[Indy Pendance]

It's all a ratings game. They could care jack about the safety of our troops.

[Indy Pendance]

What the media needs to do is quit supressing actual news.

Taliban publicly execute woman (AP, November 17, 1999)

Or

WTC Jump
WTC Jump
WTC Jump
WTC Jump

[mass55th]

"If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast.

~William Tecumseh Sherman"

Here's a great web page with a whole bunch of quotes on journalism:

click here

[Maigrey]

BWWWWHHHHHAAAAAA. That's cotton-pickin funny!
Maybe the Admiral should have had this conversation at the first of their assignment:

If you can't follow my orders, you will be dropped off the flight deck with no lifevest! Is that clear?

I thought so!

[Irene Adler]

"This sounds like one of the more dumb ideas our military has had in a while."

I think its a brilliant idea! The journalists LOVE playing soldier. They wear the gear; they dig hanging out with the troops. They just can't help themselves; they are guys, after all (except for the girls, of course). This gets the U.S. military really good coverage because the journalists are having such a good time. And I don't even think that will stop once the fighting begins. In WWll journalists were given officers' rank and put into the service. This move is somewhat similar.