1st Reporter Killed

reporter in the field

[Elle Bee]

a reporter I've known for some time emails:

I am trying to get in but it looks like they just killed the first journalist. Guy trying to go down the road I'm on was hit with a missel. And the sandbox sucks.

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[Elle Bee]

has anyone else heard anything else?

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[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Who hit him with a missle?

[NautiNurse]

Here is one limited source: Suicide bomber

[Conservateacher]

No, I think it was a mussel.

Iraqi's show their deepest anger by beating victims with a shoe and launching shellfish at them.

[Elle Bee]

it was Iraq .... unless he was french

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[Shaka]

Probably got hit in the foot...with missel toe!

Actually there are 3 reporters we do not know their whereabouts.

[irish guard]

missel, missle, mussel.......I bet it was a missile....or was it a mistle?

Here is the sad truth, the media, in hopes of getting a scoop over a counterpart has taken a great risk and as a result someone is dead. I saw a piece on this earlier today and part of the military's point in allowing the media to tag along was caught, while another huge component was completely missed by the media themselves. The military establishment wants the media along in order to humanize and curry favor to the folks back home. Smart move. In addition, Saddam and most likely the Koreans get to watch first had, as the military runs a clinic on how to execute a war. Neither Katie Couric, nor the "genius" from Syracuse, who were doing the piece figured that part out. They were both so self-absorbed as to the military's reasoning, all they could see was the "back home" and "scoop" aspect to this idea. Soft journalism was on display at its best this morning.

[Pylot]

I have never understood the mentality of a reporter who goes into a war zone.

If you talk to one, they view themselves as "braver than you". They are like a thrill seeker.

It takes no talent what so ever to put yourself in harms way.

If you pay attention, over time, you can identify the group of reporters who find this particular form of danger gratifying.

I am not impressed. In fact, it seems terminally adolescent to behave this way. It there were some real talent or skill involved perhaps it could be viewed as admirable.

But the fact is that 99% of their activity never sees print. What a waste of life to die this way.

[Blue Screen of Death]

At least "Fog of War" Geraldo has the brains to stay behind the action and lie about it.

[Elle Bee]

but I've also know some to go in early find 'safe houses', contacts and report thing that the blow-dried set would never imagine.

For example this one in particular did some work on Sierra Leone which no one else would touch and he has a long body of like work

At least he's working for FOX now

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[Happygal]

There is a UK based ITV reporter, one cameraman and a translator missing. Seemingly they were shot at while making their way to Bazra

[varina davis]

I have never understood the mentality of a reporter who goes into a war zone.

There are some in the Fourth Estate, myself included, who sincerely believe in the First Amendment and all that it infers. The media, print and broadcast, is far from perfect and sometimes abominably biased, but there are those who know that a free press -- on its best day -- represents the only thin line between citizens and government excess and corruption. It's up to the citizenry to be as well informed as possible and separate chaff from wheat.

[Ditter]

I have misplaced my glasses so am not seeing too well today. Did you say Katie Couric was the journalist that got blasted? lol

[OldFriend]

Brave Ted Koppel has a kevlar vest.............something our soldiers do NOT have. Wish to hell he had stayed home and left the military to take care of business without having to be concerned with the likes of him and his cohorts.

[fuzzthatwuz]

Heard on FNC earlier from an "imbeded" nearby journalist that an Australian reporter was out side his vehicle, walking on the road taking pictures, when he was killed.

[OldFriend]

The corruption of our elected officials is ongoing without a bit of daylight by the press unless it fits their own personal agenda.

On it's best day the media tells the unvarnished truth. Most of the time they are propagandizing and we are no longer amused.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Please, God, let it be Robert Fisk.