embedded photographer kicked out for showing war

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morgan

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Here's an article about how a photographer embedded with the US military was kicked out for publishing images that show US causalities. The soldiers in the image are unidentifiable. I don't want to get too political with it, but what about the preservation of history? How can the public ever see the true cost of war with this sanitized version? Where's the documentation of these soldier's ultimate sacrifice? I think about Capa's work and all that followed, these guys captured the moment, the humanity and inhumanity of war. Yes, I know there were censors in previous conflicts, but the inability of a government to show, with respect, the price that its citizens are paying for the conflict is galling. Instead we're fed white-washed propaganda. Anyway, it's a shame that a photographer gets fired for showing the truth.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43066
 
Showing these pictures is bad for the war business.
War imagery is better left to Hollywood.
 
I saw this article as well and it just mad me very sad. My stepbrother is a gunner over there now and I wonder how he is going to adjust when he gets back. It is truly a sad time for this country when we can not see what happens to our brothers and fathers (and sisters and mothers) that give so much. It just adds insult to injury and I for one will be happy when this time passes.
 
The original post was obviously a complaint about the kicking-out of the fellow.
That's what I gave my oppinion on.
but you knew that, of course.
 
It is easy to blame the govt for everything since usually it is true. But there are always 2 sides. I was once a photographer for the State of Ct to document children in foster homes and other facilities. A bunch of hippie types (this was in the early 70's and my hair was longer than theres) were protesting the war in Vietnam near the govt building I had been in. I started taking pictures,mostly of their brutality towards anyone who disagreed with them. finally they noticed me and came over to me and told me to stop shooting. I refused and they grabbed my camera and beat me with it ( a Nikon F) and then took off with it. I needed about , I think 8 stitches. So much for the Peace and Love wing of thought.
In conclusion since the very nature of all govt is corrupt would else should we expect? sorry for whining.
 
But you said you were working for the state? And taking their picture? Maybe that had something to do with it. Just a thought.
 
I don't think Zoriah is a hippie type. He is a journalist doing his job, and doing it well. Perhaps too well? If you have the stomach for it and want to see the work he does you can view his diary but truly it is EXTREMELY GRAPHIC. I do not mean to yell but I do not want any one to click on it without being ready to see war uncensored. Here is the link to the diary:
http://www.warshooter.com/content/zoriah-war-photographer-diaries-shooting-war

Moderator: Please feel free to remove my post if it is inappropriate.
 
Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?
 
I think the fact is that a reasonable rule is abused by the folks in power for their benefit. With the instantness of todays media you could see your son dead on the 7PM CNN web page before you get a call. There needs to be some moderation and logical management. But a few weeks later it might tell an important story. I agree with the rules, but the way they are enforcing them is very very sad. War photography is a wonderful thing. It can project an un-spun view of a moment in time. You might not see everything, but you have one view of an event. In this sort of war embedded is the only way for most to stay alive. People are loosing their heads over there for just looking American.

B2 (;->
 
war is hell, that's all there is to it. I guess the masses aren't ready for images of real dead people, just like their rating system for movies, everything is sanitized. Our society doesn't want us to see truths, they'd rather distort so they can shape our reality be it the U.S. gov't and the media, neither side wants to show what's really happening when in fact war is happening and there are positives and negatives.

Now on the subject of getting beaten by cameras, did that Nikon F come apart or did it remain intact. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I'm just curious about the durability of old cameras. Wonder what would happen if embedded pj's were beaten with an EOS or Nikon DSLR?
 
The army isn't taking journalists along with its combat units to preserve history or to tell the truth about anything. Embedded journalism is journalism only by name, in reality it's public relations.

No army today wants Vietnam-style war photographers turning the public opinion at home against the army itself. Most armies nowadays try to avoid this like the plague. I don't know what kind of contract this guy had with the army, but I'm sure there were some conditions to the effect that the army had the right to terminate the agreement if they disagreed with the output he produced while under said contract. I respect his striving for journalistic integrity, but you just can't sign up with the army as an embedded journalist and hope to be able to publish everything you see.

Philipp
 
rxmd said:
The army isn't taking journalists along with its combat units to preserve history or to tell the truth about anything. Embedded journalism is journalism only by name, in reality it's public relations.

No army today wants Vietnam-style war photographers turning the public opinion at home against the army itself. Most armies nowadays try to avoid this like the plague. I don't know what kind of contract this guy had with the army, but I'm sure there were some conditions to the effect that the army had the right to terminate the agreement if they disagreed with the output he produced while under said contract. I respect his striving for journalistic integrity, but you just can't sign up with the army as an embedded journalist and hope to be able to publish everything you see.

Philipp
Click to expand...

Here are the rules, he followed them and still got kicked out. Some of us are intent on covering war and conflict because we feel it is imperative to our way of life. Other info can be found at:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10215&Itemid=144
 
I was one of such people, intent on covering war. I was all geared up and ready to go until the embeds were announced. It then became clear that one was not able to cover the war, but just the movement of the US military and of that, what it let you cover.

And for the luxury of this, you could die in the process.

Suddenly, I thought of two hundred million things more worthy of my death than being part of the PR machine that is our current media and I didnt go.

I have no regrets.

You have to wonder, if they were alive, and fit, if someone like henri huet or larry burrows would have bothered with this nonsense. I fantasize not.
 
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