Embed reporters

[39mto39g]

The Mititary has a pretty clear rule about embed reporters. No pictures of wounded or dead US military personnel.
Yet for some reason the New York Time decided this rule doesn't apply to them.
The NY times contacted the soldiers family before The Army had notified the Family of his death.

(Cut-N-Paste)

The intimate portrayal of a sergeant's death during Army efforts to clear a Baghdad neighborhood has caused friction between the military and The New York Times, while sparking larger questions about war coverage and media-military relations.

Two journalists working on the Times' story were apparently threatened with expulsion from their embed status, a move that puzzled military reporters who've worked in Iraq.

Press advocates were concerned about distrust between military leaders and the media, and other observers noted the power of the video that accompanied the story, capturing the day's mix of confusion, fear and heroics.

The story released in Monday editions followed Staff Sgt. Hector Leija and his platoon on Haifa Street in Baghdad, part of a joint American-Iraqi effort on Jan. 24 to clear out militia fighters. Leija was shot in the head _ possibly by a sniper, perhaps accidentally by soldiers in the street.

A photo that ran with the story pictured the wounded Leija, 27, being carried away by stretcher. On a five-minute video that accompanied the story online, Leija explained the unit's efforts in the early morning hours. The camera later captured soldiers' discovery that he had been shot, their frantic efforts to save him and their recovery _ at considerable risk _ of the equipment left behind when he fell.

Times executives also did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. However, the paper released a statement that said it was "our understanding is that there is no disembedding or suspension."

The newspaper said Executive Editor Bill Keller spoke with Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno and agreed that the paper would write a letter to the sergeant's family. The statement said that the newspaper took "extraordinary" measures to let the family know an article and video were going to be published. It also said the newspaper acknowledged that the family was distressed and offered its regret.

New York Times Sucks.
Ron

[DMZ-LT]

Any embedded reporters in my platoon would have soon been impaled reporters.

[SuperScout]

Sad as this story is, it should not come as any surprise to read of the conduct of The New York Times. This is nothing more than the Ol' Grey Lady's manifested hatred for the military specifically, and the best interests of America in general.

[Seascamp]

This act is embodies the concept of empty, deep, dark and cold where the only activity is icy n' sputtering spite and contempt.

No doubt the ?Gray Lady? will eventually find the dark emptiness that they have earned and so richly deserve. Hurry sundown, eh.

Scamp

[39mto39g]

Sea
What did you just say?

I think what our Army guys should do is take the reporters out on a patrol and camp next to a known Bad guy spot. Tell the reporters that we would be leaving at 4am to attack. Then I would leave at 2 am and head back to base camp without the reporters. Whooops, What you didn't get the NEW orders?

[SparrowHawk62]

Originally posted by DMZ-LT Any embedded reporters in my platoon would have soon been impaled reporters.

Roger That! A sea bag swim party would be the sea going answer!

[MORTARDUDE]

Disgusting !

Larry

[SparrowHawk62]

Originally posted by MORTARDUDE Disgusting !
Larry

NAAH, The media has gone way, way to far in embedding reporters into active troop movements! There is no sound reason for this.

[Stick]

Originally posted by DMZ-LT impaled reporters.

would quickly understand the meaning of FRAG. The Times has never known that "Freedom of the press" held some responsibility to be responsible reporting with considerations to and for those that the Times is reporting to. Like Ron says, the "New York Times sucks" BIG TIME.