[thechat] reporter fired for reporting

[Erik Mattheis]

On Monday, March 31, 2003, at 01:01 PM, Hugh Blair wrote:

> More mis-information - watch CNN and most of their reporting is using
> satellite phones. Erik, please start getting your facts correct.
>
> ---- Erik education ----

--Hugh education--
<http://usinfo.state.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/ 
washfile/latest&f=03032901.plt&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml>
Q: Some embeds with U.S. Marines have said that they are no longer
able to use Thoria (ph) phones. Could you tell us why this is, when
they'll be able to starting using this again? And doesn't this amount
to censorship?

GEN. RENUART: Well, let me get to the last question first. On the
battlefield operational security is critical to the successful
accomplishment of every military operation. And there are times and
places on the battlefield when you need to ensure that no
communications go out in order to shield your movements and your
intent. So I really don't see -- look at this as in any way
restricting the ability of the media to cover an event. But I really
see this more as the requirement for the operational commander to
ensure that his movements are appropriately secured until such time as
he has completed or begun that operation.
---

In other words, "You're embedded now, and part of the agreement is that  
we will not allow your presence to put us or yourself in danger. So you  
will not have the freedom to report things as you wish."

I don't have a TV, so only see the war movie in bars ... and I've not  
yet seen coverage on a TV from a reporter that wasn't embedded. Is  
there much ... any?

--
-/erik/

Anti-invasion activism ideas:
<http://shockingelk.com/>

If the only thing we still have to fear is fear itself, there is more  
than enough to go around.
- R.C. Longworth

More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all wars.
-Franklin Roosevelt


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