Railroading A Journalist In Iraq {AP photographer-terrorist}

Washington Post ^ | November 24, 2007 | Tom Curley

[3AngelaD]

At long last, prize-winning Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein may get his day in court. The trouble is, justice won't be blind in this case -- his lawyer will be. Bilal has been imprisoned by the U.S. military in Iraq since he was picked up April 12, 2006, in Ramadi, a violent town in a turbulent province where few Western journalists dared go. The military claimed then that he had suspicious links to insurgents. This week, Editor & Publisher magazine reported the military has amended that to say he is, in fact, a "terrorist" who had "infiltrated the AP."

We believe Bilal's crime was taking photographs the U.S. government did not want its citizens to see. That he was part of a team of AP photographers who had just won a Pulitzer Prize for work in Iraq may have made Bilal even more of a marked man.

In the 19 months since he was picked up, Bilal has not been charged with any crime, although the military has sent out a flurry of ever-changing claims. Every claim we've checked out has proved to be false, overblown or microscopic in significance. Now, suddenly, the military plans to seek a criminal case against Bilal in the Iraqi court system in just days. But the military won't tell us what the charges are, what evidence it will be submitting or even when the hearing will be held...

Perhaps it is not surprising that the operators of the world's largest prison-camp network have found a way to provide access to due process in a form that actually looks more unjust than indefinite imprisonment without charges.

[3AngelaD]

Tom Curley, president of Associated Press, makes a whiney attempt to cover corporate butt. And unwittingly reveals the AP's true agenda.

[grb]

This week, Editor & Publisher magazine reported the military has amended that to say he is, in fact, a "terrorist" who had "infiltrated the AP."

He probably had terrorist on his resume. How could they say no.

[conservativehusker]

I wonder if the same people saying this guy is eing railroaded fought half as hard for the Hyditha(sp) Marines??? Crickets??

[jimbo123]

Curley can be reached here:

tcurley@ap.org

Phone: 212-621-7550
Fax: 212-621-1908

[centurion316]

After reading this is there any doubt, any doubt whatsoever which side the press favors in this war. Those who aid and abet terrorists are themselves terrorists and it is time that we start calling these people what they are.

[mort56]

I am now firmly convinced that the phrase “unbiased journalist” is an oxymoron.

[niteowl77]

We believe Bilal's crime was taking photographs the U.S. government did not want its citizens to see.

Totally revealing, and utterly repulsuve. AgitProp, pure and simple.

May Mr. Curley receive his just rewards for this, and may they be bestowed lavishly. I will go so far as to wish him a portion of Mr. Bilal's desserts.

Mr. niteowl77

[txzman]

He couldn’t be helping the terrorists. No Sir! Why, he’s a journalist!

[Popocatapetl]

This is especially silly when you consider that what is being demanded is that he be tried before a Common Law-style court, like in the US. He isn’t. Iraq’s court system is based on the French court system, which is NOT Common Law. It is descended from Napoleonic Law (Code Civil), which is the standard in “Old Europe”, excepting Britain and the Norse countries.

Haw-Haw! Under Napoleonic Law, a defendant is *presumed* guilty until proven innocent. Much of what the Washington Post was demanding doesn’t happen under that legal system.

In fact, Americans are usually pretty dumbfounded when they see such a court in action, because it is so completely different than Perry Mason.

[Godwin1]

AP’s performance in this conflict has been reprehensible: it has evolved from press agent and apologist for the terrorists to direct employer of jihadists.
The curled lipped contempt for America shown in AP BOSS Curley’s language betrays a deep underlying hatred for America. No wonder his AP wants America to lose. I suspect AP knew full well Hussein was a terrorist when they hired him. For the likes of Curley, being an anti-American terrorist is a resume-enhancer.
Many papers throughout our country depend heavily on AP to supply them “news.” No wonder Americans no longer trust the press.

[Da Coyote]

Let me see....trust the military, or trust the AP. One is populated with those who believe in sacrifice, integrity, and work. The other is peopled with self-licking idiots at the bottom of the SAT barrel who have been outshown and out maneuvered daily by the blogosphere. Which to believe? Which to believe?

[Karliner]

I am now firmly convinced that the phrase “unbiased journalist” is an oxymoron.

Good line mort56. I had hopes of journalism being my minor in college( structural engineering was less biased) but after seeing the slants of even college papers my only option was to get a real non biased job...if the home didn't stand it was obviously my fault( hasn't happened, yet!!)

However,...if an AP photographer is nabbed red handed there will be glorification of the positives ignoring the fact this guy was on the other side....yep, how else could he be behind the lines taking pics of jihadists attacking our troops? I highly doubt it's Stockholm Syndrome." He had an agenda as does the AP, Rueters, NY Times...etc ad infintum

[Melchior]

Curley, was the former president of USA Today — the acme of journalist excellence — before he took charge of AP in 2003. Since that time he has crusaded to enhance FOI, opened a bureau in Pyongyang, North Korea, and has fought to close down Guantanamo. Reporting from Iraq has been invariably one sided, and you can guess which side AP comes down on. AP has done all in its power to eliminate the word terrorist from the journalist’s lexicon. The man is a menace, and his Iraqi photographer should be hung.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

Ditto

[Eagles6]

‘Zactly.

[3AngelaD]

Yes, he makes Lou Bacardi look like a hero, doesn’t he?