Reporters in Iraq face snipers and kidnappings

[Barrett808]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Western journalists covering the war in Iraq face sniper fire, roadside bombs, kidnappers and a host of other dangers. Their Iraqi colleagues must cope with even greater risks, including families attacked in retribution for sensitive reporting, and arrest on suspicion of links to the violence journalists cover.

At least 85 journalists — mostly Iraqis — have been killed since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 — more than in either Vietnam or World War II. The security situation is getting progressively worse, and 2006 has been the deadliest year yet, with at least 25 journalists killed to date.

Gunmen carried out the deadliest attack yet on the media on Thursday. Some two dozen armed men, some in police uniform, stormed the downtown Baghdad headquarters of a new satellite television station, killing the board chairman and 10 others.

The motive for the attack on Shaabiya TV was not clear, though there were signs it was carried out by Shiite militiamen. Sunnis say the militias often have help from police. In its few short broadcasts, the station played nationalist music against the U.S. occupation, perhaps prompting militiamen to assume it sympathized with Sunni insurgents.

“Iraq is the most dangerous assignment in the world right now for journalists,” said Joel Campagna, head of the Mideast desk of the Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based media rights group that keeps the count.

(more)

http://www.thekansan.com/stories/101306/localnews_101306035.shtml

[kenny blankenship]

1. ...and the insurgents pose dangers to them, too!

[Ian David]

2. Let's write to Fox and tell them we want more, intimate coverage of Iraq.

I'm just saying.