Life in the war zone

What is the amount of fear you have for the life of your crew as well as yourself while covering the stories in the Middle East? Brian Williams has mentioned multiple times that there are security measures that NBC as well as the Army take in securing it's reporters. Does this sense of security decrease the fear that you have?

Is this a test or are you really looking for questions?

If so...

Is it difficult to reconcile the documenting of suffering and war with being directly engaged in the alleviation of that suffering? The Publisher's Weekly review on Amazon says,

"Fletcher has a clear understanding of the ambiguities of his position as a purveyor of misery and death—for one story, he finds a Somali refugee near death and films her until she stops breathing."

. What can you say about those ambiguities? Is there a thin line between documentation and exploitation?

Thanks!

Martin why is the reports from the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq so different then the Media reports. As my daughter and her fellow soldiers email me what's happening it sounds much different that the Media Reports. Just recently I read the Foreign news report of the President of Iran's visit to Iraq. Now it was strange that President Bush snicked in without Media attention or a welcome and then had to snick out. As the President of Iran gave notice of his visit and he was welcomed with the red carpet and it was on TV for full coverage. Deals were made even with the White House sending Admiral Mullen to spy on the visit. We have given almost 2 Trillion dollars in taxpayers money for what. With the help of George W. Bush and Cheney greed countries in the Middle East that once never spoke to each other are now friends. Hamas won a legal election yet the US continues to act like they don't count. We have lost so much over the past 7 years with deals with other countries. Crime is taken over the US Government. Americans can no longer trust the Media for honest and fair reporting as it is directed by the White House. I know a few reporters try to do what's right in a time that even the top office is directed by the White House. I love how Brian Williams uses his words to cover his butt and not get caught in the mess. I've watched channel 4 for since I was 7, my Dad made me watch the news and it just grew on me. Yes 53 years I've seen those who were shown in black/white and then color. Thanks for letting me give me thoughts I'll keep watching, and with luck you wont have to go to a War Zone as I hope we find peace.

Have you considered that the presence of a camera is perpetuating the killing by being the mouth piece for the killers? What if no one recounted what happened? What if you would just say, NO!? Of course you would be out of a job, but maybe more of these people would start thinking - killing is not such a good idea, because no one is interested in it.

Martin,
I understand your perspective from the viewpoint of the participant in an event being reported.

In August 1990 while serving with the 82 Airborne Division I was part of the "line in the sand". operations as a lightly armed foot soldier looking at 20 armored divisions. Later, in February & March 1991 during the period immediately following the cease fire in Iraq I had the opportunity to witness the suppression of the Shiite uprising by the Iraqi republican guard in the vicinity of An Nassarayah (sp).
The questions of following orders, providing medical assistance while denying military intervention and of destroying weapon stockpiles, some of which turned out to be chemical weapons provide some of the backdrop for some of your work.
I for one have wished on occasion that there was a journalistic element in our presence there.
My question is how do you or how are you able to gain access to areas or operations that the local authorities wish to deny you while maintaining the ability to objectively report on events?

Martin -- Ive enjoyed viewing your archived reports on MSNBC this morning. It's touched on in your bio and you mentioned it some recent reviews; how you jumped into this career to get away from a desk job and see the world on someone else's dime.

But it would seem that you certainly had some background that has helped you in your career, im thinking of your stint as a translator in Brussels in particular. Is there any course you regret not taking at University or advice once neglected you now see the wisdom in taking? Do you brush up on anything before heading out on a long assignment?

Thanks and I look forward to reading your new book.

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Why are the news stories on Iraq and Afghanistan and our military always about the the violence and not the humanitarian acts happening? I now read my news online because I am tired of the concept of "if it doesn't bleed then it doesn't lead". Not all of us want to hear just death and destruction. I want to know all of what is really happening, not just what the big heads at the news stations think will make more people watch. How can journalists such as yourself help make this happen?

There is a quote of Winston Churchill's that goes something like: "A lie can make it halfway around the world before the truth even has a chance to get its pants on." In this age of internet and digital speed, how has that affected your reporting, i.e., have you ever covered a story that was erroneous and had to be retracted and/or corrected? And in the interim did anything negative/positive happen until the story could be righted?

So Calvin, does the Code of Honor not apply to NBC?

Newsvine is for collaborative discovery and discussion of the news, not self-promotion. Posting full articles which also appear on your blog is acceptable but seeding your own stuff is not.

I mean, if that's the case, tell us. You seem to be encouraging NBC to come here, dump a link to its own site (while presented as an "article" no less) and that's it; that the "article" in question is nothing but a fluff NBC PR piece makes matters only worse. It wouldn't be tolerated from any other user. I understand MSNBC owns your Web site, but I was under the impression that the company had agreed it would not impact the content of the site in ways such as this.

Alternatively, you can also explain how this "article" is not a violation of the portion of the Code of Honor I've quoted.