8th journalist slaying sparks media retreat

Boston Globe ^ | November 28, 2001 | David Filipov and Mark Jurkowitz with Ellen Barry , Globe Staff

[Cincinatus' Wife]

DASHTI QALA, Afghanistan - Several major media organizations pulled out of northern Afghanistan yesterday following the shooting death of a Swedish television correspondent as he slept in a guest house compound in Taloqan.

The BBC, known for its global coverage, pulled out its team, as did the major US broadcast networks. Reporters for Reuters exited, and spokesmen for the Associated Press and the Washington Post indicated that their reporters were planning to leave the region.

[Rebelbase]

I won't be suprised if we find out that Geraldo sold his soul to get a Bin Laden or Mullah Omar interview. And I won't be suprised if he gets killed in the process.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

If so, he must have a death wish.

[Grim]

Yesterday, the BBC's "security specialist" gave his own assessment of the risk for journalists in Taloqan. He advised that they pull out immediately.

"That'll be $500 please."

[Tacis]

I, too, pray that Geraldo is all right. I also hope that none of the bad guy, robber, killers find out the Geraldo always carries two rolls of bills. The first is a very modest amount that he'd give up only after limited resistance to suggest that it is all he had. The second roll contains big bucks and a bad guy would have to fight to get it. Gosh, I hope Geraldo is safe and no bad guy finds out about all the cash he carries!

[NC_Libertarian]

Yes, he's been over there for perhaps a week now.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

More reporters have been killed than have US-led troops hunting for Osama bin Laden.

How about a monument on the Mall?

[TomGuy]

Geraldo carries Cash--US Dollars $$$$??? You shouldn't post that here; the Taliban might see it!!!

ssshhhhhhhhhh

[Nineteen_Kilo]

Journalists have become targets not only because they are defenseless, loaded with expensive equipment, and carrying plenty of cash ...

It certainly does appear that, if nothing else, the journalists in the field are hopelessly out of touch with reality. The description above makes them sound like fabulous targets of opportunity for anyone stronger and more predatory in the war zone.

I don't wish any journalists dead. Getting them out of Afghanistan before the endgame, however, might have certain salutary benefits ...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It certainly does appear that, if nothing else, the journalists in the field are hopelessly out of touch with reality.

And everywhere else. I don't wish harm on them either.
I do hope this has shaken them awake to reality and
I hope it helps them understand this is war and we are the target.

[Joe Boucher]

and geraldo.

[TheDon]

You nailed it.

[Conserva Dude]

Don't those people know that journalists just want to "get along" and "understand" their hatred.

[Howlin]

I wonder what they think of Crawford, Texas now.

[Howlin]

How about a monument on the Mall?

Is there any room left?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank goodness we stopped the terrorists before they cleared some space!

[<1/1,000,000th%]

''As soon as he opened the door there was a bang,'' said Rolf Porseryd, the reporter with whom Stroemberg shared a room. ''Ulf fell over me. `I'm hit. I'm shot,''' the Associated Press quoted Porseryd as saying.

Didn't Ulf explain that he was there to help and that shooting people was bad??

Another tragedy. Why aren't these reporters armed?

[Cogadh na Sith]

Journalists have become targets not only because they are defenseless, loaded with expensive equipment, and carrying plenty of cash, but also because for hundreds of former Taliban supporters still armed and roaming Afghanistan, they symbolize the coalition that brought about the Taliban's rapid collapse.

Doh! Stupid Taliban... They didn't even recognize their best pals!

[J Jay]

Is Geraldo heading out?

He is there now--I saw him last night on TV-News talking with the Talirabs. He may plan to replace all eight.

[Texas2step]

Anyone else find it highly ironic that we've seen 8 journalists' deaths and only 1 American soldier?

Do you think they might finally clue in as to why we won't give them full access to everything the military is doing and let them all ride along?

[Kermit]

"Journalists have become targets not only because they are defenseless,..."

You mean, The Boston Globe now admits that having guns provides for one's self-defense!! The Globe has fallen off the antigun bandwagon. The mantra was that guns have only one purpose, to kill people.