Two CBS journalists were kidnapped this past weekend while reporting in Basra, Baghdad. The names of the two have not been released but they are suspected to be a cameraman-photojournalist and his Iraqi translator. The pair was taken from the Sultan Pace Hotel on Sunday. Indications on Tuesday led us to believe the kidnappers were somehow connected to the anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr, but the journalists have still not been found.
In Iraq, journalists are frequently targeted. Just about one year ago, in January of 2007, five security contractors were kidnapped right near Basra. There was a $150,000 reward for anyone who could help release them to safety. Despite the offered reward, the group is still missing. Being that this is a journalism class, I think that this article has the most impact on me because journalists were the ones kidnapped, and are the ones who are often targets. Honestly, I always envisioned journalists working locally for magazines or papers, but this opened my eyes to see that journalists are needed everywhere, even in places like Iraq, where it can be very dangerous. There is always something that needs to be reported. (The New York Times 2/13/08, p. A8)
The longest writer's strike since 1988 finally ending was, in my opinion, the best story of the week. The writers who cost Hollywood $2 billion agreed to a three-year contract on Saturday. This means that writers will now, again, be writing for primetime television shows, such as, "Grey's Anatomy," which was forced to shut down production because of the strike. Personally, I enjoy watching such shows, as I'm sure millions of others do, and that is why I couldn't help but smile while reading this article. (The New York Times 2/10/08, p. A20)
Mitt Romney withdrew from the presidential race. (The New York Times 2/8/08, p. A1)... Barack Obama added to his winning streak while Hillary Rodham Clinton lost eight in a row. (The New York Times 2/13/08, p. A1)... A sophomore student from Memphis was shot by another student whom he was arguing with in gym class. (The New York Times 2/12/08, p. A18)... A tornado that swept through five states left at least 50 dead and a few hundred injured. (The New York Times 2/7/08, p.A1)... Three men wearing ski masks stole four 19th-century pieces from a museum in Zurich, Switzerland. (The New York Times 2/12/08, p. A6)...
