Reporters on the Job (reporter booted out of Iraq)

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | 03-28-03 | Paul Van Slambrouck

[Amerigomag]

SMUCKER OUT OF IRAQ: Philip Smucker, a contract reporter for the Monitor and The Daily Telegraph of London, was escorted by the US Marines from the front lines of the war in Iraq Thursday. He is being taken to Kuwait, the Pentagon says, because of information Smucker reported in a broadcast appearance with CNN early Wednesday.

"My understanding of the facts at this point from the commander on the ground is that this reporter was reporting, in real time, positions, locations, and activities of units engaged in combat," says Bryan Whitman, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. "The commander felt it was necessary and appropriate to remove [Smucker] from his immediate battle space in order not to compromise his mission or endanger personnel of his unit."

[Slip18]

That is the fifth CNN reporter removed.

[pgkdan]

From now on I say shoot the b*astards as spies!

[Frapster]

wow - I didn't know what. Amazing the things we don't hear and amazing the things we do.

[RikaStrom]

They've removed 5 reporters? I have got to stop working so hard, I am missing all the details.

I guess CNN is learning that the adults are in charge now.

[dep]

so much for "with a name like smucker . . ."

dep

[minmospop]

SEE YA S(m)UCKER!!!!!!!

[Cold Heat]

"When it's Smucker! It dosn't have to be good!"

[TADSLOS]

I'd just strip him of his press credentials and drive off and leave his ass. Let him find his own way back as a civilian without any ID.

[barker]

Which other reporters were removed?

[Green]

I don't understand why they even consider letting any reporters or photographers that are not part of the embedded group stay with them. Neither he or his photographer were part of the embedded group but they just chose to tag along and were allowed to do so.

[Green]

I don't think this was a CNN reporter. He just got smacked for what he said during a CNN interview.

[Slip18]

While in Lake Tahoe, CNN was the only decent news. FOX News was not there, except for some local stuff. CNN showed four of their "expert reporters" being escorted out of Iraq.

[Slip18]

I honestly don't remember their names. I don't watch CNN here. There were three men and a woman.

[nvcdl]

I read today that Smucker's father is a "peace activist" and actively protesting the war.

I sent Smucker's editor an email saying I'm glad he is off the battlefield.

world@csmonitor.com

[Billthedrill]

Voted off the island...(sniff!)...that's gotta sting...(sob!)...

[Slip18]

"I don't think this was a CNN reporter. He just got smacked for what he said during a CNN interview."

I stand corrected.

[Green]

Weren't those the reporters that was kicked out by Iraq from Baghdad? The Iraqi info minister got mad at them and said they had to leave. Happened a few nights ago, I think. CNN has been playing it up for all it is worth. Seemed to report more about that the few days after it happened than the war news.

[Salvation]

** this reporter was reporting, in real time, positions, locations, and activities of units engaged in combat,"**


Idiot! Endangering our troops doesn't go well with Rummy's or Franks' dinner.

[barker]

Thanks. I mainly watch Fox and they have been very careful about what they say.