U.S. reporters in Iraq face a new realm of difficulty [View All]

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/mediamix/2006-12-17-media-mix_x.htm

Reporting from Iraq is always dicey. Dozens of journalists have been kidnapped, injured or killed since the U.S. invasion almost four years ago.

But network and cable news reporters say the escalation in sectarian violence, coupled with uncertainty about the future U.S. role in Iraq, have prompted Iraqis to be more wary of them and have made an already dangerous assignment even more perilous.

Reporters say their ability to paint a full picture of Iraq is increasingly difficult because of safety restrictions that they or their news organizations have imposed.

"We now have the 15-minute rule: We never stay anywhere longer than 15 minutes to reduce the chance of kidnapping or attack, CBS' Elizabeth Palmer says.