AP employee found shot to death...
This is a sad story that failed to make any major news in prime time, yes Anderson, I'm talking about you. And before all the fangirls (and you know who you are) start commenting about how it's time for Anderson Cooper to get out from behind the desk, check out this sobering story from The Associated Press.
BAGHDAD, Iraq: The body of an Associated Press employee was found shot in the back of the head Friday, six days after he was last seen by his family leaving for work.
Ahmed Hadi Naji, 28, was the fourth AP staffer to die violently in the Iraq war and the second AP employee killed in less than a month. He had been a messenger and occasional cameraman for the AP for 2 1/2 years.
"All of us at AP share the pain and grief being felt by Ahmed's family and friends," said AP President and CEO Tom Curley. "The situation for our journalists in Iraq is unprecedented in AP's 161-year history of covering wars and conflicts. The courage of our Iraqi colleagues and their dedication to the story stand as an example to the world of journalism's enduring value."
Naji's death brings to 30 the number of those who have lost their lives on assignments for the AP since the news cooperative was founded in 1846.
Before Naji's killing, Reporters Without Borders had recorded at least 94 journalists killed in Iraq since the war started nearly four years ago. Forty-five media assistants also have been killed, according to the Paris-based advocacy group.
The Committee to Protect Journalists had put the figure at 92 journalists and 37 media support workers killed in Iraq.
6 comentarios:
@Jade - no fan girl here. Although I do love to hear in the field reporting I do realize that it is dangerous. Anderson even mentioned it when he was on with Craig Ferguson last summer. 3000 troops dead we hear that all the time, but what about those in the media who lose their lives - we never hear about them. So kudos to Reporters without Borders for keeping track of these things and trying to keep the reporters safe.
And I agree about everyone reading the post and considering the consequences of field reporting. Seeing Nic, Peter, Arwa etc. embedded with the troops or in a dangerous area is great, but also remember Bob Woodfruff and what he's been going through the last year. It hasn't been fun & games.
Forgot to add WE never do hear about the employees of the media who get hurt or killed unless they are a big name in the business - so sad.
I would not wish for anyone to go out into an unstable environment just to "get the story."
As much as I absolutely hate having anyone in danger let alone people like Anderson that I'm a huge fan of, this is their job. I never want them to take risks that are too high, but we need journalists out there. The war is sanitized enough as it is.
That is very disturbing and it is terrible that it's not widely reported. Anderson will probably go back to Iraq regardless of the risk.
He said something recently about how he doesn't like to worry about how risky something is.
Anderson is not going back to Iraq.
He changed his mind.
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