Joe Galloway reminds us of wars past, and a single man in particular: Ernie Pyle.
Where are the Ernie Pyles, Bill Mauldins, and Joe Galloways of today? The reporters who put a personal touch to the people fighting the war. David Bloom was one. Kevin Sites reports from in-country, but as someone living with the civilians in a war zone rather than with soldiers.
It’s a dangerous business. Ernie was killed by a Japanese sniper. David died of a heart problem while in Baghdad. Joe was in the middle of LZ Xray. Kevin made his way into Iraq across the border with Iran.
So, why don’t we get more than a few minutes of video from a hotel rooftop? Part of it is that military folks are suspicious of the media. Too many reporters are out there to make a name for themselves. It’s understandable that reporters want recognition, but it is also contrary to the military ethos. That suspicion doesn’t last long once a relationship is established, and it’s really not a good reason to stay away from the military. Soldiers welcomed reporters as their own during the rush to Baghdad, and they became part of the team.
Maybe reporters feel unwelcome; or do they worry they can’t write a critical report on people they know? They can ease their minds. Criticism is a daily affair in the military, and GIs can take it if they know you. Not if they don’t. Ernie didn’t have to worry about this. The soldiers loved him. They respected him. He told the truth, but he told it with style and heart.
Instead of Ernie Pyle stories, the American public is bombarded by a continuous stream of the same video of burning trucks, running in a loop. Or people running away from something. Or the sound of an explosion and scenes of people ducking. I get the sense that reporters want to give us a “we are there” experience visually. Maybe they don’t have the imagination of an Ernie Pyle to do it with words. Maybe that’s all the network wants.
There are some journalists who have an aversion to any contact with military life, and others who fear the wrath of “You’re too close to the troops!”, a line we heard regarding embedded reporters. Still others don’t see the stories lying beneath the surface because they feel they have nothing in common with the young men and women around them. For most, I imagine it’s simply a matter of never having given it a thought. A few journalists, like the ones mentioned above, make the effort to get to know the troops, understand their passions and fears, and live their lives. The Ernie Pyles of today are in the minority. Hell, there was only one Ernie. But there were plenty of others at least trying to do the same thing.
I have to ask why anyone should be afraid of getting too close to the troops. Isn’t that where the best stories really are?
I gave Joe a heads up on your post. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the mention.
He may remind you that among other wars he covered, was “Iraq Phase I” in ’91 where he rode thru the desert with Gen. Barry McCaffrey.
Comment by Wallace — April 13, 2004 @ 9:54 pm
Perhaps getting close to the troops threatens their feeble idea that our servicemembers are “just doing what they were sent to do.” When you meet and start talking to soldiers who actually want to be there, or — god forbid! — soldiers who don’t balk and cower at the thought of killing the enemy, or soldiers who don’t think it’s a quagmire / don’t care that they haven’t found WMDs / don’t think Rumsfeld is the most vile man on the planet or that Powell is an Uncle Tom, well then you don’t really have a good story, do you? Unfortunately, Americans don’t want to hear the truth: that many soldiers have no moral qualms about taking it to the enemy and f-ing up anyone who treads on them. It sounds like a hell of a story to me, but that’s not what our news shows are made of.
For an interesting side note, read Lileks today.
Comment by Sarah — April 15, 2004 @ 12:03 am
Ralph Peters had a line that was something like “The story will be told by those journalists who aren’t too proud to learn something from a 19-year old soldier.”
Comment by Bunker — April 15, 2004 @ 7:39 am