CNN's Close Call

Wall Street Journal ^ | April 17, 2003

[WaveThatFlag]

CNN has taken much abuse of late for its account of its relationship with Iraq, including on these pages. One thing no one questions, however, is the courage of its reporters on the ground in Iraq. Which makes the recent episode involving CNN reporter Brent Sadler worth debating.

[bedolido]

the only "Close Call" CNN has ever had is with the truth.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Naw, they've never had even a close brush with the truth.

[WaveThatFlag]

This is why television never shows the idiots who run on the field at ball games.

[battlegearboat]

They're wagging the pooch again.

[Endeavor]

What amazes me is the media's incredible belief that any non- US armed combatant would lose sleep over killing journalists. It's as if these people think they're guilded in gold and everyone recognizes them as innocents. Get serious. When you're in a war, you're likely to get shot at.

[marktwain]

What nonsense. All people have the right to self-defense, even journalists. The idea that carrying arms makes one more vulnerable is idiotic.

Journalists - and everyone - should have the moral courage to carry arms for self-defense.

[narby]

CNN is why my tag line is:

[ladtx]

Glad to see CNN is upholding its tradition of bad judgement.

[FourPeas]

we certainly appreciate (and admire) the risks that journalists are sometimes obliged to take

They are absolutely NOT "obliged" to take those risks. They choose to do so.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

WSJ is simply throwing a bone to its liberal readers.

[AdamSelene235]

Kill two birds with one stone. Take a kid and your TV to the range.

[RetiredArmy]

The "truth" and "CNN" can no longer be used in the same sentence. They are lying bastards. Proof is in their own omissions.

[kesg]

the only "Close Call" CNN has ever had is with the truth.

Not too close, however.

[WaveThatFlag]

For that matter, I can't stand news programs that devote a lot of time to journalists killed at work. Look: You are not a "celebrity" and you chose to be where you were. Tell me more about the 18 year old kid from Oklahoma whose kid brother worshipped him, who just got engaged, and who hoped to be an electrician when he got out.

[Howlin]

On the way in they drew Iraqi fire

I watched this live on CNN; I don't believe they were fired upon until AFTER they were on the way out.

And they were ORDERED not to go by themselves; in fact, as they showed this live on TV, CENTCOM issued a warning to them, saying that it was a bad idea and that they would NOT be responsible for anything that happened.

[husky ed]

Another reporter who wants to be a "HERO".

[caisson71]

A reporter driving into a hostile environment, in a war zone, ahead of US troops is sensationalism and utter stupidity, not to mention the possibility of endangering US troops. CNN is having a horrible time with their judgement. If they were an American network - which they say they are not - I would be concerned.

[Political Junkie Too]

What nonsense. All people have the right to self-defense, even journalists. The idea that carrying arms makes one more vulnerable is idiotic.

Don't confuse walking down the street with walking onto a hostile battlefield.

Non-combatants should not be carrying arms. Medics are clearly labeled with red crosses and they don't carry arms, but if one should start shooting, then all medics will be looked at with suspicion. The same would hold true for journalists on the battlefield.

Look at how the Israeli's treated ambulances. After the first one blew up, they were all inspected thoroughy. CNN's antics put all battlefield journalists at risk.

-PJ

[WaveThatFlag]

Agreed. This story made me think of a reporter running into a burning building ahead of the firemen.