Should reporters remain in volatile areas?

[AB Asks]

Today marks two weeks since BBC correspondent Alan Johnston went missing in the Gaza strip. He was the only foreign journalist from a major media organisation based in the area and demonstrations have been carried out campaigning for his release. In today's volatile world climate, should the USA and Britain keep reporters stationed in areas where there is anger towards them? Or is the need to cover breaking news enough to justify keeping journalists there?

[alijangra]

They keep themselves there for a big fat pay cheque, dont they?? I would imagine they are not kept against their will.

[matty1]

The reporters knows the risks before they go, so if they want to take there chances in the volatile places let them.

[Drisgirl]

I can only agree with the above ^ ^ ^.
No-one holds a gun to their head (absolutely no pun intended) and I think that even the most dimwitted amongst us can envisage what goes on in a warzone.

[kwicky]

On ITV this evening a reporter was filmed within a combat situation in Afghanistan where a number of Taliban troops were killed. Judging by this episode they pose little threat to allied troops and offer only token resistance. One wonders what would change if all the troops were removed as the Taliban seem to be in control of the tribes already and our prescence only exacerbates the situation.

[jedimistress]

AB. They go there voluntarily, many are freelance. Research...

[Booldawg]

A bigger fuss tends to be made when a journalist gets killed or goes missing in a volatile area. When the same happens to servicemen/women the nations general emotion is 'oh well, tragic but thats what they join up for'. Journalists are either put or put themselves at uneccessary risks to give bring us images to sensationilse war; do we really need to see every bullet shot or every building bombed, all in the name of compettion between news agencies?

[ludwig]

Just try keeping them away. They love it. Cowering in a trench with mortars going off around them, striding into Baghdad with a flak jacket on, watching cruise missiles fly past their hotel, the excitement of chasing the scoop, the byline, the journalism award.
They're not there because they drew the short straw back at the office. They're there because they want to be.

[BooldawgsMrs]

Agree with Ludwig. Ever since Kate bloomin' Adie made it 'cool' yeah right, when the balloon goes up you run - the cameraman and sound person have to run - with ALL the kit, whilst you pick up an award in your sparkly frock.