A setback in military/media relations
U.S. military officials in Mosul, Iraq, have banned a reporter for the Stars and Stripes newspaper from embedding with their unit. Their reasoning? He wasn’t positive enough in his reporting and wrote things they didn’t like.
“Officials said Stripes reporter Heath Druzin, who covered operations of the division’s 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team in February and March, would not be permitted to rejoin the unit for another reporting tour because, among other things, he wrote in a March 8 story that many Iraqi residents of Mosul would like the American soldiers to leave and hand over security tasks to Iraqi forces.
“Despite the opportunity to visit areas of the city where Iraqi Army leaders, soldiers, national police and Iraqi police displayed commitment to partnership, Mr. Druzin refused to highlight any of this news,” Major Ramona Bellard, a public affairs officer, wrote in denying Druzin’s embed request.”
I can’t believe that decision will stand, and I suspect those who made the decision have seriously harmed their military careers. The military does not get to decide whether a reporter’s work is sufficiently boosterish. If a reporter refuses to follow the rules, or if he or she in any way endangers operational security, they can and should be removed. But barring or removing them because their work is not deemed sufficiently positive is wrong and counterproductive. In my conversations with generals and other military leaders, they get that, but sometimes folks further down the line need to be reminded. I imagine that reminder will be coming.
This kind of thing reminds me of those years from 2003-2006 in which the Bush administration and its defenders complained that things in Iraq were going just fine and that the U.S. media just wasn’t covering all the good news. As it turned out, the administration was very much wrong in its blue-sky, Pollyannish attitude about trends in Iraq and the media reporting had been correct: Things were going bad in Iraq.
Without a media free to report what was really happening, the necessary change in policy and leadership never would have occurred.
Ron Martz, a former Marine who was the AJC’s military reporter for years and embedded at least twice in Iraq for us, is now president of Military Reporters and Editors. In a letter of protest to the Pentagon, Martz wrote:
“There is absolutely no evidence to indicate that Mr. Druzin in any way compromised the unit’s operational security or put American forces at risk with his reporting.
Barring this reporter from an embed for what appear to be specious reasons violates both the spirit and the letter of the embed guidelines that Military Reporters & Editors and many other journalists have worked so diligently to implement since long before the initial invasion of Iraq in March 2003.
It appears from the June 24, 2009 Stars and Stripes story about this incident that commander of this unit is attempting to exercise editorial control over what stories are written and how they are written. I am sure I do not have to remind you that it is not the job of military officials to exercise editorial control over any journalists, including Stars and Stripes reporters.”
The fact that the controversy involves Stars and Stripes is particularly striking. It is a newspaper funded in part by the Pentagon but guaranteed editorial independence by Congress. Its main readership is service members and their families. Growing up in the military, it was basically our hometown newspaper, particularly when we were stationed overseas. (That was the pre-Internet days, which meant Stars and Stripes was our only English-language source of news and sports from back home.)
Michael Yon, the free-lance war correspondent often lauded by conservatives for his dispatches, put it well in a conversation we had a while back by satellite phone. He told me that in his experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, officers who were doing a good job usually had no problem allowing an embedded a reporter; the bad ones were the ones who didn’t want the exposure.
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130 comments Add your comment
RealityKing
June 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
“Without a media free to report what was really happening, the necessary change in policy and leadership never would have occurred.”
Jay obviously sees nothing wrong with today’s progressively run state media…, highlighting his own bias.
Turd Ferguson
June 24th, 2009
1:37 pm
The liberal media is happy when US Soldiers die. We should send them to Iran to do some reporting.
The way we weren't
June 24th, 2009
1:38 pm
You should have attended a quality private school, willie.
The way we weren't
June 24th, 2009
1:41 pm
The liberal media is happy when US Soldiers die. We should send them to Iran to do some reporting.
Why? We don’t have any US soldiers there to report on.
Normal
June 24th, 2009
1:42 pm
Oh Turd, Bless your heart the most…
RB from Gwinnett
June 24th, 2009
1:43 pm
Bosch, are you really going to act like you libs are big troop supporters? Nobody’s buying that crap Bosch. Go dig up all of the trashy comments made about our troops bombing villages, raping women, killing children, etc. and see what political party they all belong to. Even the abu graib thing was a good opportunity for libs to trash the military, Bush specifically, instead of only condeming the individuals responsible for it. Same with Gitmo.
You can pretend the truth is somewhere else if you want to, Bosch, but that would just be more evidence of you being naive.
Turd Ferguson
June 24th, 2009
1:47 pm
Really?! Wow…thanks for the info.
The way we weren't
June 24th, 2009
1:49 pm
We SHOULD only blame those responsible for the atrocities of the last eight years. Let’s see. Let’s start with Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. That’s a good start.
AmVet
June 24th, 2009
1:53 pm
Duty called and I missed most of the neo-conical teeth gnashing downstairs.
For argument’s sake lets all just agree that 4,315 Americans KIA’d needlessly, tens of thousands more injured and a trillion dollars, or thereabouts, is a very small price to pay for having the privilege of the Bungler-in-Chief lying to the nation and and cooking the books for his Crusades.
The only memorable copy of the Stars & Stripes I recall, and one I still have, is the July 4, 1976 edition…
Normal
June 24th, 2009
1:54 pm
RB- You are out of line, sir, You, in your narrow minded way of seeing your world would call me a Liberal too, even though I am not. But that matters not. What matters is that I am a combat veteran of three political wars starting with “Nam. I support the troops to the utmost. I support them so much that I want to give them a more than fair shot at winning, I want to see them properly armed and with the best protective armour. I want to see them properly led and I want to see them able to fight without one arm tied behind their back…or I want to see them home and I’m sure Bosch feels the same way. You sir or ma’am are no supporter of anything that I can see…Just sayin’
Dusty
June 24th, 2009
2:03 pm
Well, before I disappear for the prosperity of personal wealth, let me give you some GOOD NEWS. THE only wolverine in North American just ate the only python in North America. Besides that, the governor of South Carolina was referee and cook!! So that settles all that!
Anyway, Bookman is getting ready to flash his next topic which is bound to be “Pat Swindall REPUBLICAN did a BAD THING!” Seems Pat was not home for Father’s Day for his SEVEN children!!
Swindall should be thrown under the jail for that, not to mention that lil’ ol’ bribe to an innocent Atl council member. What does Swindall think he is? A liberal?
dave
June 24th, 2009
2:09 pm
somebody tell Bosch what liberal means, he doesn’t know!!!
Jay doesn’t trash the military, I’ll give him that (he’s a military brat, I believe) but he sure does like to blame Bush for everything. How long can it last, seems like our supreme leader is going to have to be responsible soon.
.
RB from Gwinnett
June 24th, 2009
2:14 pm
Normal, “I want to see them able to fight without one arm tied behind their back” So you’re in agreement the “don’t return fire if bein attacked from a civilian area” is a DUMB policy? Are you willing to call Obama out on that? If you don’t see that policy as fighting with one arm tied behind their backs, you’re a partisan fool.
Jake
June 24th, 2009
2:20 pm
Only college students brainwashed by communist professors into thinking business careers are inappropriate for anyone that is not a John Birch society type Republican, wind up as wimpy bleeding heart liberal journalist losers (read Bookman). Naturally they feel obligated to rat out the men and women who do the dirty work with exposes on the horrors of My Lai and Gitmo. All you did today is make america weaker Bookman.
Normal
June 24th, 2009
2:24 pm
Call n=me all the names you want, and to answer your inane question, YES! Absolutely a stupid policy. Like I said, If they can’t fight like they were trained, Bring them home. We can’t control what a spineless
group like the Taliban does, and if they want to hide behind women and children, we have two choices, shoot anyway or withdraw. If we choose withdrawal, it will embolden the Taliban even further, so we may as well bring our troops home. They will be needed here when the Taliban start using our children as shields. THAT is the real world.
Bosch
June 24th, 2009
2:26 pm
Ahhh. Just back from watching the Sponge Bob Channel.
RB,
I think it is more appropriate that YOU dig up all the libs trashing the military and libs hate the military comments since YOU are the one accusing people like me of doing so. In such rich RB style, you like to throw ideological crap into the blog with nothing to back it up. For some reason you think that criticism amounts to no support: apples and oranges are not the same thing. You want to make that accusation, back it up. Otherwise, well, you know…..
dave,
Actually, you’re right. I do not know what a liberal is. I really have no clue.
Normal @ 1:54,
Amen, and thanks for your service. And, I’m an equal opportunity snake eater with you.
Dusty,
I SO don’t like snakes. Snakes are just so wrong on so many levels, mainly being that they are just creepy as hell.
Atlanta Native
June 24th, 2009
2:28 pm
Jake,
Exposing My Lai weakened America? You rooted for Jack Nicholson’s character in A Few Good Men didn’t you?
Atlanta Native
June 24th, 2009
2:33 pm
Enter your comments here
RB from Gwinnett
June 24th, 2009
2:37 pm
Bosch, if you aren’t aware of John Kerry and others comments about our troops, I don’t suspect any amount of me providing proof of their quotes will ever get you out from under the rock you’ve been living under. You just keep you’re head buried in the sand and act like you don’t know what your party leaders have said. You’re the definition of a Koolaid drinking sheep.
BTW, there is a difference between criticism and calling them baby killers on a national stage with the world listening. There is also a difference in being critical with a fair minded assesment vs. the “everything they do is wrong” mentality of the MSM.
You know what your leaders have said, Bosch, and to sit here and act like if I don’t print it for you here it didn’t happen is dishonest.
Normal
June 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
RB…Bless your heart, no really…
Mike
June 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
So if the Commander and Chief brings a Huffington Post reporter to the front of the briefing room, skipping over legitimate media and lets him ask a pre-vetted question, is that acceptable? I’m sure the officers in the field would love to be able to select specific questions to answer. I think you missed the point Jay. They want balanced news, not cheerleading (I know—I’ve been there.) There is good and bad to report, but the agenda seems to dictate only the bad should make it to the public for consumption. Maintaining troop morale is a difficult task in theater, and it becomes much more arduous when perception back home is molded by an incomplete picture.
TnGelding
June 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
Rethink Afghanistan (Part 4): Civilian Casualties
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krHV9iT20zw
TnGelding
June 24th, 2009
3:30 pm
The New Strategy in Afghanistan with David Kilcullen, David Barno, and Tom Ricks:
http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10405
Hellinahandbasket
June 24th, 2009
3:35 pm
If you think this kind of censorship was only done under the Bush or other Republican administrations then you are a biased moron. Clinton did it and so did many of the other Democrats. It’s not a party thing, its a political thing. On one side you got the supporters of the military who try and make it better than it is then on the other side you got your CNN’s, NBC’s etc. who hate the military and make it worse than it is…somewhere the truth lies in the middle and as active duty Army who has spent 3 tours in Iraq, all outside the Green Zone I can tell you the truth is much more interesting, much more positive and much more heart breaking than any of these news agencies can report. Censorship and the manipulation of facts and the truth are the foundation of every news agency in the world and that includes the U.S. so join the real world people, this is not news.
War Vet
June 24th, 2009
3:36 pm
War is for soldiers, not reporters. You wanna go to a war zone & report? Go on your own.
Voice of Reason
June 24th, 2009
3:38 pm
The military controls every aspect of a soldier’s and the military’s lives including information so why is anyone so suprised they control THIS information? Hell, the liberal news agencies skew the info to fit their thinking just as the conservative news agencies skew it their way. Sometimes you people are so naive.
War Vet
June 24th, 2009
3:41 pm
Media Purpose: Take the ability of free thought & decision making away from the individual. I know it is Greek for “middle”, but it is anything but today.
Besides, with so many cry baby soldiers/bloggers now a days, I find it hard to believe something contrary wouldn’t get out.
ugacpa02
June 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
Perhaps if journalists would stick to covering the news instead of editorializing, then there wouldn’t be such decisions.
Steve
June 24th, 2009
4:36 pm
The media during Vietnam calling U.S. soldiers “Baby killers” and such didn’t necessarily put the soldiers in danger either, but it certainly took a psychological toll on them. How stoked do you get to do a good job, when the people who are suppose to be supporting you are calling you vile and untrue names.
HDB @ 1:04 (where do I start)
If Carter had another 4 years in office would we have been able to look at 25% interest rates rather than the 18% we had we he was voted out of office. Let’s also not forget the hostage situation in Iran which he was UNSUCCESSFUL if bring to an end.
Clinton what exactly is he remembered for? I remember him making big headlines for getting a BJ (he doesn’t believe that is sex) from Monica L. Numerous previous affairs that came to light during his time in office. The economic boom we had in his time was due to Alan Greenspan’s policies. I have seen several blogs now blaming that for current economic downturn). I also remember Bill & Hillary looting the WH on their way out of DC.
Not sure what you mean by Obama IS at home. I thought he was from the Chicago area.
In terms of Katrina, New Orleans got more press coverage, but the gulf coast of Mississippi was decimated. That is where the full force of Katrina hit. Bush did ask the Gov of Lousiana if assistance was needed, and she DECLINED. The Orleans area weathered the hurricane itself with minimal damage. Their nightmare began due to the levee breaks. The levees were built to withstand a Category 3 hurricane, not a Catagory 5. The people of New Orleans were notified well in advance of Katrina to get out of town. Some could not leave. Many others CHOSE not to leave. Many of these same people then set about looting the town. I’m not referring to the people who were taking food/water to survive. I’m referrig to the extensive news video that was shot of people stealing things they could not possible use (flat screen TVs, a baby grand piano) during the catastrophe.
The Gay Rights organization is already mad at Obama. Guess he kind of strayed from one of those campaign promises.
“Jews will gain once peace in the Middle east is attained”…well that hasn’t happened in a few thousand years. There are numerous Arab countries and groups today who indicate they will not be happy until the nation of Isreal has been wiped from the face of the earth…how’s that for love and understanding?
My long term thinking tells me we are in debt up to our eyeballs. We have to be ‘conservative’ in our over all spending to get our economic crisis under control. That means, bring in more money than you spend. I do not see Obama doing that at all.
Copyleft
June 25th, 2009
10:12 am
If people are calling you “baby killers,” you might want to stop killing babies… you know, instead of whining about how much you want to shoot the messenger.
It’s sad how many people put “supporting the troops” ahead of “supporting the TRUTH.”