By: E&P Staff The deaths of two CBS journalists on Monday means the Iraq conflict is now the deadliest war for reporters in the past century.
Since 2003, 71 journalists have been killed in Iraq, more than the 63 killed in Vietnam, 17 killed in Korea -- and now the 69 killed in World War II, according to Freedom Forum.
The Iraq numbers do not include the 26 members of media support staff who have also died, as counted by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
"It is absolutely striking," Ann Cooper, the executive director of the CPJ, said on Monday.
"We talk to veteran war correspondents who have covered everything going back to Vietnam and through Bosnia. Even those who have seen a number of different wars say they have never seen something like this conflict," Cooper told The New York Times.
In addition to those killed, at least 42 journalists have been kidnapped, according to Reporters Without Borders.
That group released a statement today: "The security situation is becoming more and more alarming for the press in Iraq. Although better protected, embedded journalists are not completely isolated from the dangers.?
CBS revealed Monday that two of its crew members were killed, and correspondent Kimberly Dozier, 39, was seriously injured, during an attack on a U.S. military unit in Iraq.
The dead are cameraman Paul Douglas, 48, and soundman James Brolan, 42. It is believed they were the first embedded journalists to die since 2003.
They were embedded with a team from the Fourth Infantry Division when the convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device today.
***
Related:
Editorials Oppose Iraq Withdrawals -- As U.S. Sends More Troops
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here