Frontline reporters have second thoughts

Marine Corps News ^ | Nov. 07, 2004 | 1st Lt. Robert Shuford

[Ramonan]

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq(Nov. 07, 2004) -- With what seems an immenent assault on Fallujah coming in the next few days, media embedded with the Marines are rethinking their rolls in what looks to be the largest assault in Iraq since the end of major combat operations last year.

This isn’t what they expected, said one CNN journalist while finishing up the latest edits about a patrol that took place the night before. Many of the media here have been in combat zones before but this time is different, he said.

The latest display of emotion by such media has come as they have learned more about what role the Marines would play during an offensive on the insurgent hotspot where Marines have been fighting for months.

In one of the only buildings that has electricity in the camp where they are currently living, reporters and photographers from many well-known outlets like LA Times, NY Times and CNN to name a few, have discussions nightly about what may happen to them while they charge their batteries and file their stories about what their units did that day. Some of them are even reconsidering whether they want to carry through with their original plan of moving with a front line unit.

The Marines recently embedded more than 30 media agencies with units that are operating in the Al Anbar province where the well-known towns of Ramadi and Fallujah are located. All were invited, many accepted the offer, but now some have doubts.

The Marines are trained for this, the media is not, continued the CNN reporter who was actually covered other battles including the Iraq invasion during the spring of 2003.

One photographer, who has prided himself since his arrival here, on being in more than 17 conflicts, says he is more worried about this operation than any before. Because of the tactics the insurgents are using there is much more uncertainty, he explained. He went on to say that he did not expect to have this much access or be this involved with the Marines when he arrived.

“What if I get separated, what if I think I’m in a safe place and all of a sudden an insurgent walks in with a gun,” he said.

When asked what they thought they were getting into, many of them explained that they did not expect to have such good access to the Marine units they were embedded with and told how thankful they were for the treatment they received since there arrival. However, many are scared that this “five-star” treatment will not keep them safe from the dangers Marines have been facing daily before any media arrived.

For some, the embed program seemed like a good idea and a good way to be on the forefront of a historical event, but now some aren’t so sure.

The media has some real thinking to do and has some critical decisions to make about whether they should continue with their unit into the face of battle, said an accomplished LA Times photographer.

Their concerns are valid. Just days after their arrival, a fellow embed female photographer who was riding along with the Marines on one of their daily patrols was wounded when the vehicle she was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device or an anti-tank mine. After being treated at the Marine’s Bravo Surgical Company here, she was flown to Baghdad for further treatment. Her husband is currently embedded with the Marines.

They all say they know someone in their line of work who has been wounded covering conflicts like the one they are now involved in, but some are wondering if they want to be next.

As artillery and airstrikes continue to pound away at weapons caches and insurgent defenses in the town right outside the relative safety of the camp, the journalists, reporters, and photographers with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force are forced with the decision of how close they want to really be when Marines are called to battle.

Outside their hangout, a makeshift “chow-hall” in a building that Saddam Hussein used not too long ago, they smoke cigarettes and contemplate how important telling this particular story really is, and whether they really need to be at the “front” like many of them originally asked.

They all say this has been a great opportunity and are thankful for the help the Marines have provided. However, some have already changed their plans on how they are going to report the events of what seems will happen any day now.

Meanwhile, Marines and other service members continue to prepare for an operation that will help decide the future of Iraq – media by their side or not.

(Editor’s note – the names of the media representatives were left out of this article as a courtesy because they are doing the Marines, the United States and the world a great service by accurately reporting on the rebuilding of Iraq.)

[Ramonan]

In racing, the defining term was" when the flag drops, the BS stops". Looks like some reporters are not a daring as they would like to think they are. Be sure to read Editor's Note, bottom.

[Max Combined]

"The Marines are trained for this, the media is not, continued the CNN reporter who was actually covered other battles including the Iraq invasion during the spring of 2003."

More importantly, the Marines have big brass balls and the media do not.

[mondonico]

If the action gets really close and hot, they embeds might get in the way of the Marines or otherwise endanger them. Maybe they should be in the second or third wave.

[TADSLOS]

Media Father Dan says, "Courage".

[dan_s]

(Editor’s note – the names of the media representatives were left out of this article as a courtesy because they are doing the Marines, the United States and the world a great service by accurately reporting on the rebuilding of Iraq.)

CNN, LA Times, NYT???

yeah right...

[ProudVet77]

The MSM is funny. Compared to the original war this will be a cakewalk. No expectation of chemical or biological weapons. The original invasion was supposed to take weeks just to take over Baghdad. This invasion will be over in 48 hours max. I think the media is afraid of showing our men in a good light.

[LibFreeOrDie]

I'd hate for a Marine to risk his life to protect a reporter in combat. Let the reporters stay home.

[edfrank_1998]

They're just now figuring out that this stuff is dangerous? What insight.

USMC 69-72
Army 75-92 (Retired)

[rface]

the women in our military are great Americans - the American media (and especially the international media) is largely a bunch of pussies - (can I say that???)

[GaltMeister]

This isn’t what they expected, said one CNN journalist

What did they expect, bunny rabbits and kite flying?

[xsrdx]

War correspondent bump. They don't call them combat photographers for nothing.

Not a job for the timid - just ask We Were Soldiers Once, And Young author - and reporter/photographer - Joe Galloway.

The problem here is that most reporters today are groomed as liberals, and there are few liberals - or atheists - in a combat zone.

[G.Mason]

“What if I get separated, what if I think I’m in a safe place and all of a sudden an insurgent walks in with a gun,” he said."

What if he goes home and get a job he's more suited for?

Someone pass this guy some Tums please, and tell him the 18th conflict has his number on it. ;)

Reporting on the rebuilding of Iraq indeed.

[MKM1960]

It is nice to see the media realizing just what it means to be a Marine. This crop of reporters in no Ernie Pyle. God Bless the United States Marine Corps and keep them in Your care as they fight for freedom.

[FreedomCalls]

Modern-day "Ernie Pyle's" they ain't.

"I love the infantry because they are the underdogs," he wrote. "They are the mud-rain-frost-and-wind boys. They have no comforts, and they even learn to live without the necessities. And in the end they are the guys that wars can't be won without."

Despite the warmth he felt for the average G.I., Pyle had no illusions about the dangers involved with his job. He once wrote a friend that he tried "not to take any foolish chances, but there's just no way to play it completely safe and still do your job." Weary from his work in Europe, Pyle grudgingly accepted what was to be his last assignment, covering the action in the Pacific with the Navy and Marines. He rationalized his acceptance, noting, "What can a guy do? I know millions of others who are reluctant too, and they can't even get home."

[Humidston]

...Maybe the journalists are also thinking seriously about being separated from their heads by those savage jihadists.

[Radix]

"More importantly, the Marines have big brass balls and the media do not."

I have seen what some in the media have publicly presented as "objective journalism," they certainly do have balls.

[RepublicanArmy]

Well maybe now they will have a little more respect for what our soldiers do & go through. Maybe they will start giving us the real news about what is going on over there & not just the body count or when one of our soldiers does something wrong....

But then again who am I kidding 90% of the media over there don't care as long as they get the story first & they can make a name for themselves in the process.

[McGavin999]

Accurately reporting the rebuilding of Iraq? If they are, then it's the editors who have refused to print their reports. Just what is the truth in this?

[Let's Roll]

Or some of the media are genning up to accept the insurgents offer to embed with them?

Posted yesterday on FR.

[Landru]

"'What if I get separated, what if I think I’m in a safe place and all of a sudden an insurgent walks in with a gun,' he said."

If you're gonna cover combat you needn't ask a stupid question like that, eh?

I mean no reason for the guy to come unglued.

....& lose his head. :o)