Flintoff Visits USU
By Jordan Allred
Corey Flintoff a long-time reporter for National Public Radio (NPR) gave a lecture to Utah State students and community members Wednesday, on his experiences as he has covered the war in Iraq.
Flintoff, who has been the afternoon voice of NPR’s newscast for 17 years, shared how events have unfolded since U.S troops entered Iraq in 2003 and the difficulties on-site reporters have encountered trying to capture the news.
Using an analogy where an elephant represents everything that has happened in Iraq since 2003, Flintoff said he has only been able to grab the end of the tail, because so much has happened and access is limited.
With all the events that have taken place, Flintoff said that reporters need to find out how to be in several places at once, as much as possible, and at the same time how to go about it safely.
“The key is being invisible, in dangerous areas,” Flintoff said, as he described how it is easier for radio reporters who can stay out of the way and observe opposed to television reporters who are trying to capture action while reporting.
Flintoff said when he first arrived in Iraq in was not uncommon to hear from their offices at least one or two car bombs go off each day, but did note that it has progressively become safer.
Reporters, although not directly involved in the war, need to find ways to stay safe, they have become targets for kidnapping and many have even lost their lives trying to do their jobs.
One example he gave was a kidnapping that involved a reporter who was beaten ruthlessly until a ransom had been paid, then had been dumped on the outskirts of Bagdad; the reporter could be considered lucky, because he wasn’t killed.
Aside from explaining the complicated lives reporters have tried to live in Iraq, Flintoff educated the audience on issues commonly talked about in America, such as the removal of U.S. troops.
Many Americans are in favor of pulling troops out of Iraq, plain and simple, however exiting Iraq would be anything but plain and simple as Flintoff puts it.
Flintoff described that since America has become so invested in the war, it makes it harder to leave, saying that as America starts to pull out their troops they become susceptible to attack.
Also Flintoff described that leaving behind all the buildings, runways and other structures America has built in Iraq might not be a great idea, especially if in a few years Iraq is taken over by a corrupt government.
Another topic Flintoff addressed was tough questions he has received about being a journalist and covering the war.
“We do deal with bad guys,” Flintoff said, referring to kidnappers, killers and militiamen that the reporters try to interview, but Flintoff said it is important to report the news, not get involved or interfere with what is taking place.
Flintoff while visiting one of the Utah State classes addressed a question from a student about whether or not he would report a case of American troops abusing prisoners of war or civilians, Flintoff’s response was, “Of course I would…of course I would report it.”
Jodi Burton a sophomore studying Public Relations said, “I was very impressed with how ready he was to answer the difficult questions, he was very prepared.”
Flintoff felt the same way about the students at Utah State, tossing aside the idea that all college students are just a bunch of bums that walk around campus with headphones in, listening to loud music; Flintoff complimented the students for being well informed.
At the end of his lecture Flintoff stressed the importance of journalism in dangerous areas by saying, “When people risk their lives and their families lives, we owe them a great deal more than what they have been given.”
Corey Flintoff-NPR
Corey Flintoff a long-time reporter for National Public Radio (NPR) gave a lecture to Utah State students and community members Wednesday, on his experiences as he has covered the war in Iraq.
Flintoff, who has been the afternoon voice of NPR’s newscast for 17 years, shared how events have unfolded since U.S troops entered Iraq in 2003 and the difficulties on-site reporters have encountered trying to capture the news.
Using an analogy where an elephant represents everything that has happened in Iraq since 2003, Flintoff said he has only been able to grab the end of the tail, because so much has happened and access is limited.
With all the events that have taken place, Flintoff said that reporters need to find out how to be in several places at once, as much as possible, and at the same time how to go about it safely.
“The key is being invisible, in dangerous areas,” Flintoff said, as he described how it is easier for radio reporters who can stay out of the way and observe opposed to television reporters who are trying to capture action while reporting.
Flintoff said when he first arrived in Iraq in was not uncommon to hear from their offices at least one or two car bombs go off each day, but did note that it has progressively become safer.
Reporters, although not directly involved in the war, need to find ways to stay safe, they have become targets for kidnapping and many have even lost their lives trying to do their jobs.
One example he gave was a kidnapping that involved a reporter who was beaten ruthlessly until a ransom had been paid, then had been dumped on the outskirts of Bagdad; the reporter could be considered lucky, because he wasn’t killed.
Aside from explaining the complicated lives reporters have tried to live in Iraq, Flintoff educated the audience on issues commonly talked about in America, such as the removal of U.S. troops.
Many Americans are in favor of pulling troops out of Iraq, plain and simple, however exiting Iraq would be anything but plain and simple as Flintoff puts it.
Flintoff described that since America has become so invested in the war, it makes it harder to leave, saying that as America starts to pull out their troops they become susceptible to attack.
Also Flintoff described that leaving behind all the buildings, runways and other structures America has built in Iraq might not be a great idea, especially if in a few years Iraq is taken over by a corrupt government.
Another topic Flintoff addressed was tough questions he has received about being a journalist and covering the war.
“We do deal with bad guys,” Flintoff said, referring to kidnappers, killers and militiamen that the reporters try to interview, but Flintoff said it is important to report the news, not get involved or interfere with what is taking place.
Flintoff while visiting one of the Utah State classes addressed a question from a student about whether or not he would report a case of American troops abusing prisoners of war or civilians, Flintoff’s response was, “Of course I would…of course I would report it.”
Jodi Burton a sophomore studying Public Relations said, “I was very impressed with how ready he was to answer the difficult questions, he was very prepared.”
Flintoff felt the same way about the students at Utah State, tossing aside the idea that all college students are just a bunch of bums that walk around campus with headphones in, listening to loud music; Flintoff complimented the students for being well informed.
At the end of his lecture Flintoff stressed the importance of journalism in dangerous areas by saying, “When people risk their lives and their families lives, we owe them a great deal more than what they have been given.”
1 comment:
Jordan, I like your story. I think it would have added a little more conviction to it if you had quoted Flintoff directly more than you did. A lot of summary can slow down the story. I would have liked to see a few more quotes. Good work.
Post a Comment