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28 March 2007

'You’ve got to wonder if it’s worth it'

I found this article, by Vincent Graff, on the Mail & Guardian Online, questioning the role of journalists in the war in Iraq, which has now reached it's fourth anniversary. He mentions that the death toll of journalists in Iraq reached its worst ever in 2006, with 138 names mentioned at the Royal Television Society's journalism awards - and that's only broadcasting. It got me thinking.

The question to be asked is not whether it's worth putting your life on the line as a journalist to get the grit out into the public domain, but whether the presence of journalists in Iraq even makes a difference anymore. The public is getting bored with the same old story, and the situation in Iraq is only escalating, particularly with regards to the safety of the media.

What do we have to do to make journalism in war situations effective again?

23 March 2007

Bob Woolmer's murder

I am shocked to hear about the murder of Bob Woolmer in his hotel room in Jamaica at the 2007 Cricket World Cup. His death and the reaction of his team is tragic enough without the deeply concerning added shadow the murder casts over the World Cup as a whole.

One can't help thinking back to the Hansie Cronje scandal in South Africa, and wondering how deep the corruption all really runs. Read the latest from the BBC, Mail & Guardian, and CNN.