Reporting Iraq from the Iraqi Side
Non-embedded Journalists and Stringers in Iraq Face Difficulties
Feb 16, 2009
Some war reporters in Iraq decide not to embed with the military. To get access to sources and to information they must collaborate with stringers and local journalists.
The Pros and Cons of Using Stringers in Iraq
There are obvious advantages to using stringers in Iraq, including:
- Their ability to speak Arabic
- Their relative ease in moving around inconspicuously
- Their cultural familiarity
There are also disadvantages, including:
- The high degree of interdependence between foreign journalist and stringer. Issues of trust and reliability become paramount.
- The dependence on precise translations and professional competency. Both parties must be able to communicate clearly with one another to get specific information.
- Issues of past or present government allegiances. Foreign workers must ensure they collaborate with locals who do not have biases that will impact their news-gathering methods.
It is up to both parties to ensure their professional relationship is reciprocally built upon mutual understanding of transparency and communication.
Particular Risks to Stringers in Iraq
Though it is often overlooked in Western media, the lives of hundreds of local Iraqi journalists are often at risk. These stringers may endanger their lives simply by affiliation with an outside news organization or journalist. They become prime targets by extremist enemies due to this liaison, and also due to the lack of necessary protection (helmets, bullet proof vests) that is often granted to foreign journalists.
Steps to Protect Iraqi Journalists
There have been recent moves in Iraq towards better protection of local journalists. As a Frontline posting revealed on September 17, 2008, the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory is making initiatives towards the a hotline that will help ensure the safety of its media workers. Their intentions are to provide maps, escorts and safety gear.
Unfortunately, the governmental law required to pass this proposal remains stalled in legislature. Iraqi nationals continue to be the highest casualties of all the journalists working in Iraq. The Brussels Tribunal report on February 7, 2009 indicates 304 Iraqi and 34 non-Iraqi media professionals have died since March 2003.
Downsizing Staff and Decreasing Funds
More recent challenges facing both foreign and local journalists in Iraq are the network downsizing of staff and funds. The decreased public interest in the war, combined with the costs of maintaining operations in Afghanistan means even the best correspondents' stories may struggle for exposure.
The Media’s Conundrum in Iraq
There is no easy way around it. Iraq is a conundrum for the media and for the lives of its workers. Many journalists- whether they are embeds, freelancers or stringers- are living a frightening and claustrophobic situation. There are commercial imperatives, military and governmental constraints, and standards of professionalism to uphold.
In the end covering Iraq, from whichever side, should never warrant the life of a reporter.
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