In Iraq, journalists are always targeted by insurgents. The last sacrifice was the head of journalist union in Iraq who was assassinated in cold blood few days ago. Yet, no protections measures have taken by Iraqi government to stop this series.
I thought that the Iraqi government is watching this killing series with carelessness and they don’t do much to protect the life of journalists except for condemning and condolences which do nothing to save the precious lives of the Iraqi journalists but today I found out that I was wrong.
Today I read in the news that the governor of Najaf allocated a piece of land for journalist. Before finishing the news, I felt happy for one second only because I thought the man had allocated properties for the journalists to build their houses in the safe city of Najaf but again, I was wrong. The land which was allocated for the journalists by his Excellency the governor of Najaf was inside the biggest graveyard in the world (Dar Al Salam cemetery)… it is allocated to build graves for us after we get killed by the insurgents. This is serious and it’s not a joke.
Is not that great? They think about us even after our death.
Laith & Jenan
Need running shoes? How To Select A Running Shoes? All running shoes are not created equal.
Posted by: Suti | July 31, 2008 at 09:55 PM
New article at Voices of Iraq indicates that women photojournalists have been beaten, had their cameras confiscated and some have given up long-held careers because their lives were so at risk: http://66.111.34.180/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=71845&NrIssue=2&NrSection=4
Posted by: Laura | March 05, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Sorry. Too hasty. Here's the link (and the explanation about it is in the comment beneath):
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/iraq/?id=24630
Posted by: Laura | March 04, 2008 at 10:06 AM
The link below sends you to a middle east online article alleging that Iraqi soldiers beat up journalists covering one of yesterday's car bombs in Baghdad. Still and video cameras were also confiscated, it is said. At Voices of Iraq, the minister of defense has denied the allegations.
The news from Iraq comes at a very high price to the people who report it (not to mention their families). I hope you all who do this work are aware of the appreciation and respect in which you're held world-wide.
Posted by: Laura | March 04, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I was imaging the property ad the governor might run:
For immediate occupation: park-like setting with quiet neighbors, utility flats with all the amenities one will need. Electricity and running water no problem.
But, dark humor aside, the real issue is the safety of journalists in Iraq, where at least 176 journalists and support staff have been killed (and it seems that no group has its hands clean, from US military forces to militias to...) Men and women take their lives in their hands every day to get the truth out to the world. We owe it to them to make use of what we learn, and to spread the word on as much as we can. We also need to do what we can to let the U.S. occupiers and the Iraq govt know that the world is watching what they do with respect to the press.
Posted by: Laura | March 02, 2008 at 01:25 PM
There's an expression my patients sometimes use that always makes me shudder: "So and so loves me to death." Can't tell you how many times I've heard women beaten by their husbands say that. I think the His Excellency loves journalists to death. Truly an example of actions speaking louder than words.
Dearies, don't give the guy any satisfaction!
Posted by: Laura | March 01, 2008 at 11:36 AM