US forces 'out of control', says Reuters chief

[NVMojo]

wow, we are really good at goodwill, aren't we??

Wednesday September 28, 2005


Reuters has told the US government that American forces' conduct towards journalists in Iraq is "spiralling out of control" and preventing full coverage of the war reaching the public.
The detention and accidental shootings of journalists is limiting how journalists can operate, wrote David Schlesinger, the Reuters global managing editor, in a letter to Senator John Warner, head of the armed services committee.

The Reuters news service chief referred to "a long parade of disturbing incidents whereby professional journalists have been killed, wrongfully detained, and/or illegally abused by US forces in Iraq".

Mr Schlesinger urged the senator to raise the concerns with Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is due to testify to the committee this Thursday.

more...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1580244,00.html

[LisaM]

1. Do they really think it's accidental shooting?

Or are they just being polite?

[NVMojo]

2. did you see the links at the bottom of article related to media deaths?

I guess journalists do need combat training and gear to do their jobs ...

[Megahurtz]

9. "accidental shooting" yeah, what a joke! n/t

[saigon68]

36. THESE ARE THUGS IN UNIFORM

ENCOURAGED BY THEIR SUPERIORS TO KILL THE LEFT WING LIBERAL MEDIA

LIMP-BALLS WOULD BE PROUD

[goodhue]

3. 66 killed

[IChing]

6. "66 killed" or 66 murdered, we report you decide...sorry faux I stole that

The hotel incident in the beginning of the war leaves me with no doubt that was murder.
The killing of the Italian security agent was accidental murder they missed the target.

More journalist have been" killed "in this war that the complete Vietnam War.

nominated

[AuntiBush]

23. No Doubt here - What-So-Ever!

AP sources know. If you're out here, you know.

P.S. AP Retirees are begging for growth of spine from those w/the mike.

[lovuian]

4. This is probably the worst thing that is going on in Iraq!!!

Keeping the News Media in check!!!

[BamaBecky]

32. I agree...n/t

[VegasWolf]

5. Ahem, these journalists really believe Bush WANTS them in Iraq???

At first maybe, when Bush figured that roses would be strewn at the feet of the occupiers! But now, when Bush knows how bad he has fucked up, the last thing he wants is journalists recording images for his new museum.

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. More war crimes. The list gets longer all the time.

[AlamoDemoc]

8. "spiralling out of control" is understatement n/t

[mzmolly]

10. They're simply following orders.

Make no mistake they're "controlled" to a fault.

[NVMojo]

That's right. I hate to blame them when they are led by *holes like Rummy

[bloom]

46. Some orders shouldn't be followed

People really need to take responsibility for what they do - and that includes the military, the police or whomever.

We need the people in "authority" with guns to be able to say no to killing/harassing civilians, journalists and us - whether in Iraq, New Orleans or wherever.

----

By Donald R. Winslow, News Photographer magazine

(Updated September 8 at 10:55 a.m. CST)

AUSTIN, TX (September 1, 2005) – As photojournalists continue to document the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s violent assault on the Gulf Coast, today they also found themselves documenting new violence and death among the survivors, the refugees, and the looters and police and rescuers in New Orleans, while some photojournalists even fell victim to the violence themselves. And a reporter for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans is still missing and has not been heard from since last weekend when he was sent to Mississippi to cover the storm. (He's since been found.)

Two veteran photojournalists - NPPA member Rick Wilking of Reuters and Getty's Mark Wilson - were robbed of cameras and computer equipment today while on assignment in a neighborhood in New Orleans, and a photojournalist and a reporter were confronted at gunpoint and slammed against a wall by police following a shoot-out between looters and cops that left at least one person dead.

Another photojournalist - Lucas Oleniuk of the Toronto Star - was knocked to the ground by police, his gear taken from him initially, when he photographed them shooting at looters and then beating one. In response to the growing violence and an increasing sense of despair among the stranded survivors, some television networks have hired armed private security firms to protect their journalists as they work to cover the story....

http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2005/09/hurricane2.html

------

NPPA Calls For Release Of Journalists Held In Iraq
Without Charges, Details In Shooting Death Of Soundman


DURHAM, NC (August 31, 2005) – The National Press Photographers Association joins with the Committee To Protect Journalists, the Reuters News Agency and other media and press freedom organizations in urging the United States military to explain immediately why it is holding in custody Iraqi photojournalist Ali Omar Abrahem al-Mashhadani, a freelance photojournalist who works for Reuters, and to provide full details surrounding the shooting of Reuters journalists Haider Kadhem, 24, and soundman Waleed Khaled, 35, who died from his wounds....

http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2005/08/iraq.html

[mzmolly]

63. I totally agree that they are ultimately responsible. It's just not THEIR

idea to kill journalists.

[MountainLaurel]

57. And that excuse worked so well at Nuremburg n/t

[mzmolly]

64. Unfortunately we won't see this Government rightfully tried for war crimes

:(

[MountainLaurel]

66. I know

:sad:

[cantstandbush]

11. So why isn't this part of the "Breaking News" on cable?

Okay, I know why. This plus DeLay plus Frist plus FEMA makes it look like the entire US is out of control,

[NVMojo]

12. And with this title, most DUers will think it's about the prisoner abuse

I think this is a pretty big deal for the Reuters Chief to come out and say this stuff ...

[IChing]

13. I thought so too, Of course ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Faux are standing

behind him on that statement

I mean, Disney(Saudi Arabia), GE, Westinghouse, Time Warner, and Murdoch
ABC NBC, CBS CNN FAUX.

feel that way too.

http://la.indymedia.org/news/2003/04/47530.php

Who owns CNN? or MSNBC? ABC?

[54anickel]

14. Don't forget Greenspin's "Lost control of the deficit" comment - Sh*t

face it the US is totally out of control.

The sooner the US implodes the better chance she has of surviving and rising from the ashes. The longer Monkey Boy and his band of thieves are allowed to "rule" the greater the damage.

Where are the rest of those damned indictments?!

[cliss]

17. You said it, 5.

"The US is totally out of control". That's the frameable statement of the day.

"And who's going to stop us?"

[54anickel]

19. Good question, and probably what gives this mal-admin the sheer

audacity to continue on their merry way. They believe they are untouchable - no other country can stop us.

Who SHOULD stop us is US, but their propaganda machine keeps many from understanding the dire circumstances our country is in.

I believe that if this admin takes us to the edge of a global financial meltdown, other countries will step in more than likely forcing our own bankruptcy. But I think that will be a last resort, as the global economy will suffer along with us though maybe not as bad.

Once it looks like the brink of disaster, someone will step in and try to instill a "controller chaos".

[Peace Patriot]

59. "Who should stop us is US, but their propaganda machine keeps many...

...from understanding the dire circumstances our country is in." --54anickel

Oh, I think most people understand it, and thought they were doing something about it on Nov. 2, 2004. Trouble was, Bushite corporations (Diebold and ES&S) had gained control the tabulation of our votes with SECRET, PROPRIETARY programming code, in the latest boondoggle to corrupt both Democratic and Republican office-holders: electronic voting systems ($4 billion appropriated by Bush's "pod people" in Congress, to deliver the final coup de grace to our right to vote).

58% of the American people opposed the Iraq war BEFORE the invasion. I'll never forget that stat. Across the board in all polls. Feb. '03. 58%!

That number dipped only once, in the few weeks of the invasion with U.S. troops at max risk, then went right back up to nearly 60% where it stayed throughout the election. It's over 70% today.

63% of the American people oppose torture UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. May '04.

You name it. The Iraq war. Torture. The deficit. Social Security. Women's rights. The great majority of Americans disagree with every major Bush policy, foreign and domestic--way up in the 60% to 70% range. Consistently in all polls, for well over a year.

This is not a stupid or uninformed people. This is a DISENFRANCHISED people.

Solution? We need...

1. Paper ballots hand-counted at the precinct level (--Canada does it in one day, although speed should not even be a consideration, just accuracy and verifiability)

or, at the least...

2. Paper ballot (not "paper trail") backup of all electronic voting, a 10% automatic recount, very strict security, and NO SECRET, PROPRIETARY programming code! (...jeez!).

-----

This can only be accomplished at the state/local level, where control over election systems still resides, and where ordinary people still have some influence. We have a chance, at that level, to overcome the corruption.

My advice: Throw Diebold and ES&S election theft machines into 'Boston Harbor' NOW!

[Usrename]

15. Hope nobody reporting this story gets sent to Iraq.

That would be very bad.

[lumpy]

16. US forces have been out of control,

period. Prisoner abuse/killings/tortures, random killings of innocents and wounded. Is no one in charge?

[cliss]

18. It's official.

We are now a Rogue State. Let no one be misled by the Spin Doctors in Washington and other places.

The mask has finally come off. We are now a bona-fide government which will do as it pleases, never mind the rest of the world.

And it's going to come back to haunt the maniacs behind the wheel.

[ninkasi]

26. We certainly seem to be...

a rogue state. I have never, in my 62 years, seen anything as appalling as this administration. Bush has broken treaties, rammed thorough recess appointments, signed directives without consulting the Congress, and bankrupt our treasury.

At the same time, he convinces his pathetic followers that he is a devout Christian, while snatching money from programs designed to help the poor, the elderly, and children, and has given that money hand over fist to his cronies.

I am still in shock that the majority of our citizens keep consenting to his many outrages. The man destroys everything he touches, and makes the world a frightening, miserable place. He is the destroyer of hope and joy. He is a disaster.

[hollowdweller]

20. Ever see "Control Room"? They definately nailed the Al Jazeera guy

The network told them where there guy was to make sure he wouldn't be hurt and be damned if they didn't target him.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

21. No accidents, this is...

...the Pentagon's directive. They know it would only take a few honest journalists doing their job on the ground in Iraq to make the American public see this brutal and illegal occupation for what it is. Honest in-your-face journalism is what media did at the scene on the ground in New Orleans in the wake of Katrina. The boys in the Pentagon aren't gonna let that happen in Iraq. To stop it they invoke their favorite solution for dealing with any perceived threat---eliminate it.

[tom_paine]

22. Shootings NOT accidental.

Pat Tillman could tell you, but he got shot.

[AuntiBush]

24. This need WAY MORE Attention!

It's been on the back-burner for way too long.

Kicked!

[susanna]

25. Can't have THAT!

"Reuters has told the US government that American forces' conduct towards journalists in Iraq is 'spiralling out of control ' and preventing full coverage of the war reaching the public."

No kidding. So what's new here? I have not seen any honest coverage of the war since, oh, let's say when it started.

[ClintonTyree]

39. But everything's going so well.......

all we see on the television is the NEGATIVE stuff, we never see the new schools opening, the Iraqi oil infrastructure being rebuilt, you know, all of the GOOD THINGS! Why do you hate America? It's just the damned Liberal Media reporting all of the bad things that makes people think that it's not going well over there. Just ask Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Britt Hume....they'll ALL tell you things are MUCH better in Iraq than what is being reported. :sarcasm:

My GOD it pained me to write that! How can it not pain them when they lie like that?

[AgadorSparticus]

27. oh good god!! we're now taking a page out of russian media sensitivity?

remember when "rogue" media members were disappearing in moscow? this is scary!! :scared:

[CoffeeCat]

28. If Anderson Cooper had reported on Iraq...like he did in NOLA...

...the troops would be home by now.

Reporters--and media owners were the cheerleaders for the war. They were right there, salivating and oh-so willing to be embedded during "Shock and Awe".

Media members kow towed to the administration, only reporting how powerful and impressive the bombs were. They left out the truth about Innocent civilians who were killed.

The media helped this corrupt administration have their war--by taking their side. Remember when the statue of Saddam was toppled? The media just couldn't wait to report these feel-good stories while ignoring the innocent Iraqis who were killed.

The media never asked questions. Since the war's inception, the war has slowly devolved into the pit of hell that exists now. The media didn't report on the truth. They didn't demand the truth. They didn't try. They've practically ignored the reality of the Iraq war for the past 18 months. The truth is so buried.

I really believe that BushCo truly thought that they could get away with their post-Katrina atrocities--in part, because they thought they had the media in their back pocket. BushCo thought the media would play along and under-report the truth while towing their lines. It didn't happen. The media's truth-telling is the only reason that BushCo has suffered because of Katrina.

Now, if we can only get these "journalists" to report the truth in Iraq. If the people truly knew what was happening there--we wouldn't be there.

[NVMojo]

29. I agree, they were whores for Bush at the beginning but we have no

way of knowing that these journalists who have been "killed" were the ones doing the whoring for bush at the beginning. Did they deserve to die? At these rates? Remember the story about all the excess rounds being used by our troops? Wild target practice???

It is a shameful thing to be an American these days. Too bad most people are still drinking bush-coolaid...

[donheld]

30. This is why our domestic media is running in fear

Our MSM for the most part broadcast what they're told to broadcast.

[rucky]

31. if our troops are willing to risk it for an unjust cause...

our media needs to risk it for a just one.

[OzarkDem]

45. What are they afraid of?

They should pull their reporters out of Iraq and blow the whistle on this out of control administration.

Maybe they should give up their dreams of more media consolidation and start reporting the news instead.

[lillilbigone]

33. There's no real point in 'raising concerns' with Rummy

:banghead:

duh

he just needs to be indicted like Delay

[NVMojo]

34. Thanks for getting this more coverage ...but it is only one of many

outrages going on as a result of the Bushco. When will it ever end??

[mrfrapp]

35. Kate Adie Revelation

Just prior to the invastion of Iraq, Kate Adie (a veteran BBC war correspondant) revealed the Pentagon's strategy with regard to non-embedded journalists. From the interview:

" I was told by a senior officer in the Pentagon, that if uplinks --that is the television signals out of... Bhagdad, for example-- were detected by any planes ...electronic media... mediums, of the military above Bhagdad... they'd be fired down on. Even if they were journalists."

Kate Adie is a very well respected journlist and I was astonished her comments didn't get more exposure at the time.

Complete transcript and link to audio.

http://www.gulufuture.com/news/kate_adie030310.htm

[NVMojo]

37. Outrageous!!!!!!!

thanks for the link, too...

[bloom]

47. I heard a photojournalist say the non-embeds

had the understanding they would get no protection or worse - that they would be seen as the enemy.

[ClintonTyree]

38. What else would you expect.......

from an administration that wants to control every message, every aspect of every issue from THEIR perspective ONLY! Dissenting opinions will not be tolerated and only FOX news speaks the truth. :eyes: Rumsfeld is the one responsible for this and if he's not made to resign, and very damned soon, this country is never going to be able t recover from the damage done. It's probably too late already.
This entire bunch of crooked bastards from bush on down must be removed, there is no other way to kill the cancer that is eating away our country.
The fascism is in full swing now and I expect some attempt by the bush crew to control all information in this country and to declare martial law any time now. I'm not overstating this, we are in deep, deep trouble.

[saigon68]

48. ROVE WOULD HAVE THEM ALL KILLED TOMORROW

IF HE COULD GET AWAY WITH IT.

So they only kill them, a few at a time.

[Mizmoon]

40. it's reuter's own fault

what did they think was going to happen when they and the other newsies gave the government a pass on everything war related?

[joanski0]

41. John Warner just told Rummy about this,

and said he sent him copies and would like to know what he is going to do about this. Right now, the Hearing is in recess until 12:15 to vote on Roberts. Senator Warner said that when they reconvene, he wants Rummy to tell them how he will rectify this. 12:15 C-Span3.

[paineinthearse]

42. WMD: must view film

http://www.wmdthefilm.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

There may have been no Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, but there were media Weapons of Mass Deception. This is the website that connects you with a way to order and learn more about Danny Schechter's film, WMD (Weapons of Mass Deception). Its all here: the DVD, the reviews, essays, photos and promotional tools. Help us get the word out. The democracy we save may be our own.

[OzarkDem]

43. If the MSM isn't reporting this

they must think journalists are "expendable".

[K8-EEE]

44. B-b-but... I Thought They Wanted Us To See All The GOOD NEWS!

How are we supposed to see all the progress GWB wants to see if they keep, like, killing the press?

:shrug:

[bloom]

49. The sad thing is...

"Reuters has told the US government that American forces' conduct toward journalists in Iraq is "spiraling out of control" and preventing full coverage of the war reaching the public."

That that would be good news to BushCo. Mission Accomplished and all that.

[Judi Lynn]

50. Have you heard of this journalist, mentioned at the end of the article?

The US network CBS has raised concerns over the arrest of its cameraman, Abdul Amir Younes, who was arrested in hospital in April after he was shot by US troops.

CBS said it is concerned that he had no legal representation at the hearing and has had no chance to see the evidence against him.
(snip/)

I have NEVER read about it. This is unbelievable, too. Horrid.

Sure glad this Reuters chief has spoken publically, at last.

[joanski0]

51. At today's hearing, Senator Warner did not

tell the Committee what the letter was about. When they reconvened the hearing at 12:15, General Casey said that this is an issue we take very seriously. When I get back to Baghdad, I will get several of the journalists together and talk about this.

Senator Warner then said that General Casey should communicate with the two principals who sent the letter. (Warner did not give their names). Warner then said the General should gather the facts and address this matter. END OF DISCUSSION

Good grief!!!!

[fshrink]

52. Not just US forces.

This all administration has been out of control for years. Rigged elections, culture of corruption, pressure on media etc... Armed forces are just one expression of such contemporary version of dictatorship.

[90-percent]

53. disturbing????

"At least 66 journalists and media workers, most of them Iraqis, have been killed in the country since March 2003."

My tax dollars being used by my government to assasinate journalists attempting to cover the Iraq War is certainly "disturbing".

Why the entire World stands by and does nothing about such horror is incredible.

Journalists should not be murdered in cold blood by American's. What's left of the Geneva Convention makes it clear that following orders that are crimes against humanity are grounds for prosecution.

Maybe they can find one Lyndie England type to prosecute and be done with the "bad apples"?

-85%

[savemefromdumbya]

54. This country is playing dirty in Iraq

The Bush government wants a clean war showing how noble there are in fighting for freedom. Who xactly is being feed?

just wait until the Abu Graib photos come out http://www.boingboing.net/2004/07/15/hersh_children_raped.html

[saigon68]

55. Like the Young Boy Anally Raped by the CIA Interrogator

The Child screaming Piteously as his Anus and Rectum were Savaged

[leftchick]

56. Who are the REAL terrorists in Iraq?

THE USA!....

<snip>

He said that Reuters and other reputable international news organisations were concerned by the "sizeable and rapidly increasing number of journalists detained by US forces".

He said detentions were prompted by legitimate journalistic activity such as possessing photographs and video of insurgents, which US soldiers assumed showed sympathy with the insurgency.

Earlier this week Reuters demanded the release of a freelance Iraqi cameraman after a secret tribunal ordered that he be detained indefinitely.

Samir Mohammed Noor, a freelance cameraman working for Reuters, was arrested by Iraqi troops at his home in the northern town of Tal Afar four months ago.

A US military spokesman has told the agency that a secret hearing held last week had found him to be "an imperative threat to the coalition forces and the security of Iraq".

[MountainLaurel]

58. As my bumpersticker says

War is terrorism with a bigger budget.

And I think this article exemplifies that concept.

[Peace Patriot]

60. I am so glad the Reuters chief is speaking out! I, too, think that this

is one of the worst crimes of the Bush regime. There is nothing sacred to these people--nothing! And they will kill us all if we don't stop them.

Throw Diebold and ES&S election theft machines into 'Boston Harbor' NOW!

[xxqqqzme]

61. didn't some producer @ CNN

or some other news channel, lose his job when he suggested this was happening in Iraq? Not that long ago.

[90-percent]

67. Yup

Some CNN VP type was giving a speech around a year ago and he mentioned this FACT and lost his job shortly therafter. I think the speech was to some journalism trade group?

-85% Jimmy

[Matariki]

62. Ha! Like Rumsfeld cares.

[Judi Lynn]

65. Federation of Journalists calls on US army to end targeting journalists

Federation of Journalists calls on US army to end targeting journalists
Report, IFJ, 28 September 2005

The International Federation of Journalists today expressed concern over the targeting of Iraqi journalists by military authorities and called on United States forces to release a leading television reporter detained without explanation two weeks ago.

Majed Hameed, a reporter for the Al Arabiya News Channel, is one of a number of journalists to be detained without charge or explanation from the authorities. In recent months several Iraqi reporters working for international news organisations have been held for lengthy periods without being charged.

"We are very concerned that there is no word about why he has been held in what appears to be a premeditated action against him," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "This man is acknowledged as a hard-working professional whose work has taken him into some of Iraq's most dangerous places from where he has delivered much ground-breaking journalism."

The IFJ says that Iraqi journalists whose energy and resourcefulness is producing some of the most telling reporting from the region are also among those most likely to face harassment from the military.
(snip/...)

http://electroniciraq.net/news/2170.shtml