US Troops Killing Journalists in Iraq

**Texan_Til_I_Die** · 02-02-2005, 12:28 PM

At least they are according to the Chief News Executive for CNN, Eason Jordan. Below is an eyewitness account of what transpired:
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CNN Chief News Executive Eason Jordan, who admitted in April 2003 that CNN had been covering up stories of Saddam Hussein’s torture and atrocities in order to keep the CNN Baghdad office open, handed the enemy the biggest propaganda gift they could have imagined at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland: Do US Troops Target Journalists in Iraq?

This fiery topic became a real nightmare today for the Chief News Executive of CNN at what was an initially very mild discussion at the World Economic Forum titled “Will Democracy Survive the Media?”.

At a discussion moderated by David R. Gergen, the Director for Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, the concept of truth, fairness, and balance in the news was weighed against corporate profit interest, the need for ratings, and how the media can affect democracy. The panel included Richard Sambrook, the worldwide director of BBC radio, U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, Abdullah Abdullah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, and Eason Jordan, Chief News Executive of CNN. The audience was a mix of journalists, WEF attendees (many from Arab countries), and a US Senator from Connecticut, Chris Dodd.

During one of the discussions about the number of journalists killed in the Iraq War, Eason Jordan asserted that he knew of 12 journalists who had not only been killed by US troops in Iraq, but they had in fact been targeted. He repeated the assertion a few times, which seemed to win favor in parts of the audience (the anti-US crowd) and cause great strain on others.

Due to the nature of the forum, I was able to directly challenge Eason, asking if he had any objective and clear evidence to backup these claims, because if what he said was true, it would make Abu Ghraib look like a walk in the park. David Gergen was also clearly disturbed and shocked by the allegation that the U.S. would target journalists, foreign or U.S. He had always seen the U.S. military as the providers of safety and rescue for all reporters.

Eason seemed to backpedal quickly, but his initial statements were backed by other members of the audience (one in particular who represented a worldwide journalist group). The ensuing debate was (for lack of better words) a real “sh—storm”. What intensified the problem was the fact that the session was a public forum being taped on camera, in front of an international crowd. The other looming shadow on what was going on was the presence of a U.S. Congressman and a U.S. Senator in the middle of some very serious accusations about the U.S. military.

To be fair (and balanced), Eason did backpedal and make a number of statements claiming that he really did not know if what he said was true, and that he did not himself believe it. But when pressed by others, he seemed to waver back and forth between what might have been his beliefs and the realization that he had created a kind of public mess. His statements, his reaction, and the reaction of all in attendance left me perplexed and confused. Many in the crowd, especially those from Arab nations, applauded what he said and called him a “very brave man” for speaking up against the U.S. in a public way amongst a crowd ready to hear anti-US sentiments. I am quite sure that somewhere in the Middle East, right now, his remarks are being printed up in Arab language newspapers as proof that the U.S. is an evil and corrupt nation. That is a real nightmare, because the Arab world is taking something said by a credible leader of the media (CNN!) as the gospel, or koranic truth. What is worse is that I am not really sure what Eason really meant to communicate to us, but I do know that he was quite passionate about it. Members of the audience took away what they wanted to hear, and now they will use it in every vile and twisted way imaginable.

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So what do you think should be done if these allegations prove false (as I’m certain they will)?

**slugshooter** · 02-02-2005, 01:00 PM

Well, nothing really can be done if they are proved false, except maybe be forced to resign. As I take it, he made the remarks in a conference type setting versus actual news report, if he even actually said these things, nowadays you can't even be sure if someone actually said what they are being attributed to say. IMO I found it very highly unlikely that US troops are targeting journalists of any country and if they had been we would have heard about it a long time before now.

**Norm Sauceman** · 02-02-2005, 02:33 PM

If they do get killed, it is what we call here in the US as an assumed risk..These idiots are doing some pretty stupid things just to get this crap on film...

It would be just like me getting into a car with a drunk person driving.. If they wreck and I get hurt..it is MY bad..I assumed the risk when I got into the car..

I am wondering how many of these "reporters" were just in the wrong place at the wrong time..If our soldiers had to worry about idiots running through the streets in a battle with these huge cameras on their shoulders, then how many of our soldiers are getting killed thinking it is a reporter and turns out to be an insurgent that just pulled the trigger on them...

I am all for reporting the war and all that stuff..but DANGIT STAY OUT OF THE WAY!!!!! IT IS A WAR OUT THERE!!!!!!

**TreeStandBowHunter** · 02-02-2005, 03:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
as a soldier who has been to iraq and other areas in the middle east i can tell you that when a reporter is embedded with a unit that unit is required to protect them. SO, not only do we have to watch out for our fellow soldiers next to us, then watch out for ourselves, now we have to watch out for the reporter. i think we should go and do a job by ourselves and let all the people who are wanting to know what war is like join the military and find out!!!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well as a Marine that has been there several times as well, I know that they are a pain in the butt. GOOD...let's shoot a few more of them too. They are LIABILITIES that's all they are

2 hours later

Or should I say they can be there because I do think they are somewhat of an asset...you know to show the people what is really going on...but I think they should be responsibile for themselves and I think they should carry a weapon as well.

**wtnhunt** · 02-02-2005, 05:37 PM

Dont hardly believe that our troops wereor would intentionally killing any non hostile persons. Those reporters are a burden to the soldiers and not only are taking risks for themselves, but also jeoparidize our men and women doing their jobs. If they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time in their efforts to get the big story, that is their own fault.

**Texan_Til_I_Die** · 02-02-2005, 06:06 PM

I don't think the CNN exec is talking about accidental or unintentional deaths. I read it to say that he's claiming we know its a US reporter in advance and then we're targeting and killing them BECAUSE they're reporters. I just can't see that happening.

Well, maybe I could see it if the reporter was intentionally doing something to endanger our troops... But I doubt that happens very often, if at all.

**VermontHunter** · 02-02-2005, 07:52 PM

What a bunch of BIG TIME... BS..To make allegations of this type without prove is a very poor and unexceptable means to boost rating for CNN. This type of propaganda was also attempted during the Grenada Conflict which made it a hot topic for TV and news print...These top tier people will say and do anything to keep the population glued to their network...As it was already stated if there was actual proof of these targeted killings it would have been announced long ago..so IMO it's just a big bunch of crap..

**oldksnarc** · 02-02-2005, 08:32 PM

Now if we could only get lawyers imbedded.........

**wtnhunt** · 02-03-2005, 08:54 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Now if we could only get lawyers imbedded.........

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LOL. Aint that the truth.

**stevebeilgard** · 02-06-2005, 04:23 PM

so, you not only think cnn (clinton news network) is telling the truth, but you also think our troops kill americans. B.S. (barbara streisand)! don't you DARE discredit out brave troops during a way. if you do, then proove it and let's punish them. but don't make accusations you can't back up. i'm simply tired of the blame america mentality.