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Bonn (pte023/20.03.2003/12:35) - The German Journalists Association (DJV) http://www.djv.de has expressed concern about the possibility of free reporting on the war in Iraq.
The association issued an official statement yesterday criticising the press policy of the US military in the Gulf. DVJ head Rolf Lautenbach said "free and critical reporting is becoming less and less likely", and that the US policy of "embedded journalism" had led to a "class system among journalists in the crisis region".
Lautenbach said European journalists were being kept far away from the war scene and that US troop commanders would have a high degree of control over articles and background reports as a result of the integration of journalists into military units ("embedded journalism").
"If journalists can't report and research freely, then they should at least make their readers and audiences aware of this," said Lautenbach, emphasizing the importance of naming exact sources. He feels certain TV reports have already shown a tendency toward non-critical news.
The DJV has set up an online service for journalists who will be reporting from the Gulf during the war in Iraq. The homepage provides tips on travel and conduct in the region http://www.djv.de/_sonstiges/journalisten_in_krisengebieten.shtml . DJV speaker Hendrik Zörner said: "The tips provide no guarantees, but they can save lives." (newsfox-special Iraq)
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