In Iraq, “the designation ‘war correspondent,’ which is sometimes seen as the pinnacle of journalism, now carries with it a good deal of danger,” this Cox News Service says. “None of the TV networks sends reporters into Iraq who don’t want to go. The assignment is strictly voluntary. And not all who volunteer are cleared to go.”

“It’s complicated,” says Paul Slavin, senior vice president of worldwide news gathering for ABC. “There are still a lot of people who want to go, but because it is so deadly and difficult, we won’t allow them. Vietnam was a plum assignment. There were people who went over there, learned their craft, got great stories, and it was good for their careers. There are plenty of people here who would love to make their mark in Iraq but do not have sufficient experience.” More…