A press pass does not make you immune to the situation around you. I am sorry this lady was attacked and sexually assaulted but she went there knowing that it was a revolution. The Egyptians saw the US as a Mubarak supporter making very dangerous for American news crews.
Ever since Dan Rather went to Afghanistan in the 80s and narrated the Mujhadeen fighting the Soviets, reporters seem to think their "duty" to report the event creates a separation from the event. It like when you take a picture, it is easy to forget you are still present in the reality of whatever you are photographing.
Embedding reporters during Iraqi Freedom further emboldened reporters that they could report from the front lines with the protection of US forces. Unfortunately there were no friendly forces to protect Ms. Logan and her crew (Anderson Cooper got smacked around earlier as did a Fox News crew). But getting the story caused Logan and her crew to remain.
"In the crush of the mob, she was separated from her crew," the statement continued. "She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers."
Though wretched and disturbing, at least Ms. Logan's story did not end like Daniel Pearl who was beheaded after his capture in Pakistan. The United States does not have a great reputation in many countries and the locals will take it out on Americans overseas, especially unarmed members of the media.
Article Here
“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.”--Benjamin Franklin
1 comment:
I was watching some lady corespondent on PBS reporting from Egypt. The Egyptian protests had gotten ugly & reporters were staying off the streets. Some had tried to report from hotel balconies & gangs were invading the hotels, finding the reporters & shutting them down (roughly). This chick was literally hiding out. Instead of having her do her report as quickly as possible, the stateside producers/directors, whoever, PUT HER ON HOLD. They cut away for some other nonsense.
Makes you wonder if it's the management or the talent.
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