Fellow journalists upset at Geraldo Rivera for carrying gun in Afghanistan

The NandO Times ^ | December 12, 2001 6:15 a.m. EST | By DAVID BAUDER, Associated Press

[dhuffman@awod.com]

NEW YORK (December 12, 2001 6:15 a.m. EST) - From his position near Tora Bora, Afghanistan, Fox News Channel correspondent Geraldo Rivera seemed more agitated by a question about carrying a gun than by the mortar rounds that just exploded nearby.

"I refuse to address that issue," said Rivera, speaking into a satellite phone. "It's been blown way out of proportion. It makes me sound like a tabloid talk show host goes to war. It's so unfair."

Yet Rivera's decision to bring a gun into a war zone where eight journalists have been killed has raised questions about whether it's a proper - or wise - thing for a reporter to do.

Many reporters say that carrying a gun is risky because soldiers would be less likely to believe a claim that someone is a journalist, making them potential targets.

"If the word gets out that a journalist is carrying a gun, it makes it difficult for everyone," said Peter Arnett, a former war correspondent for The Associated Press and CNN.

Rivera, speaking on Fox News Channel last week, said that "if they're going to get us, it's going to be in a gunfight." But when asked specifically by an anchor whether he had a gun, he was reluctant to talk about it, finally nodding yes.

He's traveling with two guards who have five guns between them, Fox spokesman Robert Zimmerman said. Rivera isn't necessarily carrying a gun in most situations, but has one readily available, he said.

While filming a report last week, Rivera ducked after a sniper fired a few shots in his direction.

"There are eight journalists already dead," he said. "I almost got killed last Thursday and, believe me, it wasn't because of a story in the New York Post that I was carrying a gun. This is a very dangerous place.

"That makes me feel ill, that suddenly it's become an issue that I'm putting journalists at risk," he said. "That's complete bull."

NBC forbids its correspondents from carrying firearms. ABC won't discuss its security arrangements. CBS and CNN said none of their personnel carries weapons, but it isn't a formal policy.

Steve Bell, a telecommunications professor at Ball State University who covered Vietnam for ABC News, doubts he'd be alive today if he were carrying a gun when captured by Viet Cong soldiers in Cambodia in 1970.

He sat in a car while his Vietnamese co-workers convinced the soldiers that Bell was a journalist, not a CIA agent.

"If I had been carrying a weapon, I doubt if that argument would have gone over well," Bell said.

Former CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite, who covered World War II for United Press International, said all journalists he knew then adhered to Geneva Convention rules that they should not carry weapons.

Novelist Ernest Hemingway, who covered World War II as a reporter, angered fellow journalists in August 1944 when he joined a band of French resistance fighters. They were concerned about him blurring lines between journalists and soldiers.

Hemingway kept firearms, bazookas and grenades in his hotel in Paris, leading to an appearance before a military panel on allegations he was violating Geneva Convention rules concerning news correspondents. He claimed the weapons were in his room only because the military lacked storage space.

Carrying a gun could make soldiers "look at reporters, particularly American reporters, as some kind of opponent," said Arnett, who is heading to Afghanistan soon as a correspondent for an independent production company. "The whole point of being a journalist is to be detached."

Arnett said he hoped Rivera is trained in using a weapon. "I wouldn't want to be near him if he opened up," he said.

As a young reporter in Vietnam, Arnett admitted to occasionally carrying a weapon before he was convinced it was unwise. He hasn't since, he said.

Even if the journalists themselves are not armed, many news organizations - including The Associated Press - have hired armed guards for their personnel in particularly dangerous areas of Afghanistan. Expensive news equipment is considered tempting to thieves.

"I can understand wanting to have a bodyguard," said Alex Jones, director of the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University. "I think I would prefer to have someone with experience both locally and experience in their kind of battlegrounds and keep my focus on doing my job."

But Jones said he wouldn't criticize a reporter who feels safer armed.

"I can understand both sides of the argument," Jones said. "What I can't understand is if you're carrying a gun and talking about it."

Rivera and Fox News Channel have both been outspoken in support of the U.S. war effort. Rivera, who left his CNBC talk show because he wanted to cover the war, has talked about killing Osama bin Laden if he had the opportunity.

He's less willing to talk about his own personal security.

"I haven't had a shower in two weeks and I have to defend whether I'm carrying a six-shooter?" he said. "It's just ridiculous."

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Whatta maroon!

[KC_Conspirator]

A maroon? I think Jerry is using his head. The execute journalist, rape, and assualt journalists over there. Look what happened to the terrorist supporting Robert Fiske. Jerry had better arm himself...

[Cleburne]

I don't see too much sense in discussing it on television, but the fact the Geraldo is packin' heat and making the liberal propagandists mad and distraught is great!

[white trash redneck]

It makes me sound like a tabloid talk show host goes to war.

Well, he is.

[Billthedrill]

"There are eight journalists already dead," he said. "...This is a very dangerous place."

You know, I never thought I'd be defending Whorealdo, but here he's absolutely correct. And given that Peter Arnett disagrees with him, he's doubly correct.

Afghanistan is a very, very highly armed zone - you're not considered weird or unusual if you're armed, you're considered weird and unusual...and an attractive mark, when you're not.

[Mensch]

Anything that gets Peter Arnetts pantys in a bunch, must be good

[VRWCmember]

"...It makes me sound like a tabloid talk show host goes to war. It's so unfair."

Funny, that's what I thought he WAS.

[Howlin]

The execute journalist, rape, and assualt journalists over there.

Four of those reporters that were killed were SKINNED.......probably before they died.

This is nothing except other journalists trying to tear him down because THEY either 1) can't get there or 2) are scared to go!

[ikanakattara]

Who's the maroon? Geraldo is perfectly justified in carrying a gun. He probably has no interest in becoming some surviving, p*ssed-off Taliban's b**ch.

[Howlin]

IMO, he'd be stupid NOT to be carrying.

[TADSLOS]

They're just pissed that he beat them to to noteriety punch. I doubt he knows how to use the damn thing anyway.

[hawaiian]

I WORSHIP GERALDO NOW.

[general_re]

I don't see what the big deal is, myself. It was SOP for the journos in Somalia to hire some of the local armed thugs citizens as security for their news crews. What's the essential difference between hiring half a dozen locals and carrying a piece for personal protection?

Jerry probably finds carrying his own to be a bit closer and more reliable than the locals. Who can blame him?

[angkor]

I doubt he knows how to use the damn thing anyway.

I dunno. He's a pretty good amateur boxer.

[Howlin]

Are you joking, or are you serious? I think he's doing a great job!

[SJackson]

Yet Rivera's decision to bring a gun into a war zone where eight journalists have been killed has raised questions about whether it's a proper - or wise - thing for a reporter to do.

This question kind of answers itself. War zone, eight dead reporters, is it wise to be armed?

[dhuffman@awod.com]

And of Jerry Rivers' opinions on gun possession by citizens that are unique in the world for their right to legally bear arms for their self-defense, what say you?

If you will quibble on 'unique' then please cite their document equivalent to the Bill of Rights.

The conspiracy of ignorance masquerades as common sense.

[dsmatuska]

Even if the journalists themselves are not armed, many news organizations - including The Associated Press - have hired armed guards for their personnel in particularly dangerous areas of Afghanistan. Expensive news equipment is considered tempting to thieves.

Sounds like they hire armed guards mainly to protect the equipment.

[donozark]

Hopefully when Geraldo returns to USA he will be more understanding/appreciative of the Second Amendment.

Also, Peter Arnet should have carried a LIE DETECTOR and not a gun in Vietnam!

[NittanyLion]

You already tried (on another thread) in vain to peddle your idea that covering a war means forfeiting your right to personal protection. The Taliban supporters have made it clear through their actions that no distinction will be made between combatants and noncombatants - even those noncombatants that are unarmed. Geraldo Rivera is doing what any sensible person would under the circumstances.

Unless you believe that less defense equals greater protection. Do you believe that?

[maxwell]

First smart thing I ever heard of Geraldo doing... Hmmmm... Maybe this is the beginning of a new trend for him...

[Kangaroo Court]

Geraldo gets to see for himself what it means to be asssociated with the vast (I wish) right wing. The media has been targeting FOX claiming they are biased, now they target Geraldo. Rivera will learn that if your conservative or associate with conservatives, you will be targeted. Guess we'll find out if he's got what it takes to deal with the personal destruction that is so pupular with the massive liberal media.

[Billthedrill]

IMO, he'd be stupid NOT to be carrying.

My take as well. I certainly would be packing all the ordnance I could carry. If Arnett wants to try to talk the boys with the lo-o-o-ong curvy knives into the idea that he's just a warm fuzzy puppy, fine with me. Me, I'm going nuclear on 'em...

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

Carrying a gun could make soldiers "look at reporters, particularly American reporters, as some kind of opponent," said Arnett, who is heading to Afghanistan soon as a correspondent for an independent production company. "The whole point of being a journalist is to be detached."

I'm confused about the 8 dead journalists. Were they shot because they were armed? Were they shot because they weren't armed? Were they shot because they couldn't understand the rage behind why the Talibanis were beating them? Maybe they were shot because they couldn't defend themselves.

[gfactor]

perhaps the only argument against geraldo carrying a gun is that he might be more protected by having an experienced bodyguard. but even then the two aren't mutually exclusive.

[Benrand]

I like Geraldo's reports, and the Vietnam comparison isn't exactly correct. Fro what I have seen and read, the Vietnamese army wasn't exactly a roving band of religious extremist terrorists. They respected some of the "rules" of war.

And with what Geraldo has said up until now, he has called these jackoffs out, he *should* be armed.

[MAWG]

Anyone know what Whore-Boy is carrying? Just curious. Probably a nickel plated .25 auto.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

You're addressing me? How about a URL for your assertion

"You already tried (on another thread) in vain to peddle your idea that covering a war means forfeiting your right to personal protection."

I believe Whorelado has the same right as a released felon to KABA. Which part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand?

More likely you've mistaken me for my brother the preacher. You're welcome to "find in forum" on me. My stance is quite consistent.

The conspiracy of ignorance masquerades as common sense.

[TADSLOS]

Not against chairs.

[Sender]

Not only is it de rigeur to be armed in Afghanistan, but it is hypocritical to say that journalists can be surrounded by armed bodyguards but must not be armed. If I were the enemy, and I glass someone who is obviously so important that they travel under armed bodyguards, then that man becomes a target. Moreso than if I just saw some guy with a gun and a camera. It's certainly best if *most* journalists I can think of are unarmed...for all our sakes!

[Malesherbes]

This is a non-issue since Geraldo is not a journalist. He is a sleazy, hot dog, talk show host who is perfectly entitled to arm himself in Afghanistan.

[uncommonsense]

Rivera, speaking on Fox News Channel last week, said that "if they're going to get us, it's going to be in a gunfight."

Ok, so maybe there's hope for him

Hemingway kept firearms, bazookas and grenades in his hotel in Paris, leading to an appearance before a military panel on allegations he was violating Geneva Convention rules concerning news correspondents. He claimed the weapons were in his room only because the military lacked storage space.

Seems like someone as creative as Hemingway could do a little better than that - reminds me of an old Cheeh and Chong skit where someone got busted for drugs and said they were on their way to turn the stuff in...

[MinuteGal]

Who's kidding who! I'll bet every journalist in Afghanistan is packing heat. Christianne Amenperp probably has a little pearl-handled job strapped around her thigh. They just don't talk about it. That's where Geraldo made his mistake.

Leni

[NittanyLion]

You're addressing me? How about a URL for your assertion

I'm sincerely sorry dhuffman, I mistook you for another poster who was claiming Geraldo should not have a gun. This was on a similar thread earlier today.

Please accept my apology. Regards.

[TheBattman]

It makes me sound like a tabloid talk show host goes to war.

Isn't that what he is????

[VOA]

Whatta maroon!

Maybe you should NOT see "We Were Soldiers Once".
I don't know if the movie will show it, but journalist Joe Galloway, co-author of
the book that inspires the movie, probably packed heat...at least
I've seen a photo of him holding a sub-machine gun.

And it maybe apocryphal, but I've heard that Hemingway was threatened by military
authorities with rescinding of his journalist credentials in WWII after he'd
picked up a gun during a fierce engagement and wiped out a nest of German soldiers.
(Probably for self-preservation!).
I hear the "authorities" never said another word to him and gave him a Bronze Star for his troubles.
I invite better informed parties to correct me, if I've been mis-informed.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

The name's Doug. Glad to meet you. Step up to the bar and I'll by a beer for you. No hard feelin's.

[NittanyLion]

The name's Doug. Glad to meet you. Step up to the bar and I'll by a beer for you. No hard feelin's.

Thanks Doug. Whenever I see someone else do that I wonder what their problem is...not so fun when you're that person.

[George Smiley]

If Geraldo had been half as clever (or courageous, for that matter) as Hemingway, he'd have quipped that the requirement to carry a firearm was part of the contract for everyone who works for FoxNews.

[riverrunner]

Carring one your self is a lot more relieable then haveing a body guard. More then one person has been offed by their guards. Both would be more resonable

[jrobb20]

Many reporters say that carrying a gun is risky ...

Breaking from MSNBC being in Afghanistan not as risky as carrying a gun. Typical liberal reaction. (In whiney liberal high screachy voice) "If you would lay down your gun they would see that you are not a threat and leave you alone."

[blackdog]

The fact that Geraldo is exercising his second amendment rights in Afghanistan is just fine with me. There are two issues that need to be addressed. Well actually three.

First is where and how did Geraldo buy this handgun? Did he purchase it legally? New York and New Jersey are a bit sticky over this. If he did buy it in New York, he is not allowed to have it in NYC. Second is how did he transport this handgun? I would assume he carried it accross state lines without a permit. Third is what will he do with it when he returns? He cannot show up @JFK with his handgun he bought in Afghanistan. If he flew chartered aircraft, he is going to have a tough time since he has bragged about it, he must declare it on his customs arrival sheet. Nobody is allowed out of the plane until customs say's it's ok.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

If Donald Rumsfeld were a less decent person (more like Me) he would have granted the press's initial request and let most every last one into Afghanistan - without a weapon and far from our troops (to protect our real heroes).

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

I agree,maybe there's hope for Geraldo after all!?

[MAWG]

I read the book when it first came out a long time ago but if memory serves, Joe not only carried a weapon into the IA Drang but had to use it to stay alive. It was fight or die for any one who was there.

[jrobb20]

"I can understand wanting to have a bodyguard," said Alex Jones, director of the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University. "I think I would prefer to have someone with experience both locally and experience in their kind of battlegrounds and keep my focus on doing my job."

Translation: I'll be happy to pay someone to give his life for my sorry butt because I am too much of a wuss to do it myself.

[m1911]

He probably bought a Makarov for $10 over there. Lucky b*stard.

[bulldog905]

Whatta maroon!

Agreed, but the bigger maroons are the slack-jawed groupies on this site who are suckers for this egomaniac.

Geraldo has no "ideology" outside himself.

The only reason he was such a staunch defender of serial adulterer Clinton, is, he is one himself.

It's funny to see all the morons who take his staged "news" reports seriously.

And to think, some so-called "conservatives" here complain about news manipulation.

[bulldog905]

Weren't all the Geraldo groupies here the other day falling for Jerry River's whooper that Bin Ladin was "cornered"?

Geraldo is a fine "journalist" if you consider Weekly World News a credible source.

[exmarine]

I hereby sentence all left-wing, anti-2nd amendment, gun-hating absolutists to wander in Aghanistan for 30 days unarmed. Let them talk their way out of it.