Iraq bound?

[Jones]

I was wondering whether anyone here has reported from Iraq or knows someone who has reported from Iraq and has any advice... I'm thinking of going for a story -- for a few days at the outside -- but I really don't have any idea how these things work, which probably means I'll get myself killed, which I'd like to avoid.

I believe my employers will help with training and provide me with the "How to Embed for Dummies" text, but I was wondering if anyone here really knows what it's like to work over there.

Thanks in advance, except to Yawn.

Yawn, you can go **** yourself in the Amman.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

You should have gotten your colonoscopy in Baghdad. That would have been a takeout story for the ages.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

You should have gotten your colonoscopy in Baghdad. That would have been a takeout story for the ages.

Takeout ... I get it.

Nice.

 

[PopeDirkBenedict]

I would recommend Michael Yon's dispatches to get a feel for what it is like over there.

 

[John]

Best book I've read in a long time.

 

[donaugust]

Jones: Best of luck to you. Be safe.

 

[markvid]

Jones, do you have to get some sort of permission from the military first?

 

[sirvaliantbrown]

Jones, do you have to get some sort of permission from the military first?

I'm not Jones, but yes, yes you do - if you want to be embedded, which is the only way to report from Iraq these days if you're not an Iraqi.

 

[gingerbread]

"Over There -- From the Bronx to Baghdad" by NY Times reporter Alan Feuer was especially good. I don't believe he was embedded, making his account even more riveting.

 

[Cansportschick]

Jones, I know someone from ABC News that has gone to Iraq a few times to cover news, especially during the war. He always says the experience is great for a journalist and that he was especially grateful for going early in his career (he went there in his twenties). His role was to report on soldiers and their families but he learned a lot about the conflict itself. He did fear for his safety, but knew that it was all part of the job and opportunity overrided fear.

He would go there again at any time and the news network did prepare him for the trip and what to expect and some things he could do to protect himself.

Jones, this is an opportunity that I would honestly consider doing. If I were you, you should go and take the risk because it will be worth it in the long run.

 

[dreunc1542]

Best book I've read in a long time.

Agreed, damn fine reporting and writing.

 

[fishwrapper]

"Over There -- From the Bronx to Baghdad" by NY Times reporter Alan Feuer was especially good. I don't believe he was embedded, making his account even more riveting.

Jones,
This is actually great advice. Give Alan a call. I think he's on leave right now working on a book.
Kim Murphy, L.A. Times is another one. I think she's back in Moscow now. But, their wisdom would eclipes anything any of us could offer. Kim is good people.

 

[Boobie Miles]

Jones, this is an opportunity that I would honestly consider doing. If I were you, you should go and take the risk because it will be worth it in the long run.

Yeah... unless you get killed. Not trying to be a ****, but that just seemed like an odd thing to say, I guess it might be worth it in the long run, but I don't know if it's necessarily worth the risk.

Personally I wouldn't go. Call me a wuss, I don't really care. And not saying others shouldn't... if you want to, go for it and I'm sure you'll get some unbelievable stuff. Just not for me.

 

[Mighty_Wingman]

Be safe, man. And please give us all a heads-up when the resulting story appears.

And no, I have no helpful advice.

 

[Jones]

Thanks everybody for the help on the thread, the good wishes, and for what I can only describe as an overwhelming PM response. It's going to take me a while to go through them all, but they are much appreciated and I'll respond to each of them. Please know that.

I think the first thing I have to do is decide whether, bottom line, I'm willing to go. I think I am, but I've been going through lots of self-doubt about it, on and off. Five years ago, I would have gone pretty easily, I think. Now, as a newish husband and as a father, I have more fear about it. I read stories about journalists killed over there, and I can't imagine my wife reading a story like that about me. But I imagine every journalist who goes there has those moments, and yet they've all gone over. I hope I can find the same bravery in me.

Anyway, thanks very much, guys, for everything. We'll see where this goes.

 

[markvid]

If you aren't 100% sure, it's the right thing, don't.

 

[Peytons place]

I would be interested in knowing what you would want to over there? What story you are interested in tealling that hasn't already been told? It obviously would be an amazing experience, I'm sure, but I think you would need to know what you wanted to acoomplish there and what you wanted to do, particularly before you embed with a particular company.

 

[Mayfly]

You have a chance to do an amazing thing and detail a horrible occurrence. This could be a story where you look back on and say this is what defined your career. On the other hand, this could be the last story of your storied career. If you weigh the risks and decide it is something that you want to do, go for it. You have to follow your heart in this situation. You'll see some horrible things over there, so keep your head up, but also keep it down.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

I would go, in a second.

But I'm single.

I would say this: If it's something you would regret not doing in 20, 30 years -- go. Good luck, Chris. Be safe.

 

[Football_Bat]

Good luck and God bless. And phooey on Yawn. He is a tool.