“The dangers can’t be overstated”: Journalists in the cross-hairs

A recent survey by the Project for Excellence in Journalism highlights the challenges of covering the war in Iraq. In the study, reporters concluded that "even the basics of getting the story are remarkably difficult."

Over the past four years, journalists have been increasingly forced into perilous situations. Nearly 57 percent of respondents in the survey  report that Iraqi staff members working for them have either been killed or kidnapped in the past year. Many more Iraqi staff continue to be threatened. Even carrying a notebook in Iraq today can be a death sentence for Iraqis working for Western news operations. The survey shows that 87 percent of staff cannot identify themselves as working for news organizations.

Overall, journalists, according to the report, have a positive assessment of their coverage, but admit that they come up short when reporting on the lives of ordinary Iraqis.

What can Americans expect from news coverage of Iraq in such a climate of fear and violence?  Our perspective and perception of events in Iraq continues to be hindered  by an increasing lack of access to information. At best, news organizations continue to rely upon journalists embedded with U.S. and coalition forces for information -- not exactly the best environment for reporting.