Ground rules for embedded reporters

Excerpts from materials sent by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning:

 ... All local Afghan as well as international, foreign and/or American media representatives must be credentialed by the CPIC and issued a CFC-A Media Badge to cover U.S. Coalition Forces.  Expiration dates will vary depending on length of approved coverage dates and embed periods.

All journalists/media representatives are required to have a CFC-A Media Badge and a CPIC/Public Affairs escort while on Camp Eggers.  This includes credentialed media leaving through the checkpoints.

Journalists who are granted access on Camp Eggers or other installations falling under CFC-A are automatically bound by the CFC-A Ground Rules governing coverage in Afghanistan.  You and your agency must adhere to all rules and accept the risks that exist when covering activities and operations on or around CFC-A installations. ...

....
A weekly joint International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan Press Conference is held every Monday at 10 a.m. at the HQ ISAF compound.  Media advisories are issued by ISAF/CFC-A prior to each press conference to confirm time and location.  All media wishing to attend the joint press conference are asked to arrive at HQ ISAF’s main gate no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled press conference to go through security (15 – 20 min).  Commercial ground transportation is limited and traffic can be congested.  Please be aware of the gate schedules and plan accordingly.

We do not have billeting/housing for journalists.  If staying overnight you will be required to make accommodations with a local hotel, unless told otherwise by CPIC personnel.

NOTE:  Alcohol, non-prescription drugs, knives and firearms are not allowed on any CFC-A installation/compound.  Cellular/satellite phones, cameras/photography, video and computer equipment must be inspected and cleared by Force Protection representatives.

Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan Media Ground Rules

I, __________________________ of _____________________ understand that I am bound to the
    (print first, middle initial, last name)              (media organization/affiliation)
following CFC-A Media Ground Rules and any violation of these rules will result in the immediate termination of coverage/access to CFC-A units/installations and confiscation of my CFC-A Media Badge.                              (Please initial)  ____________.  CFC-A Media Ground Rules:

    1.    All interviews will be on the record.
    2.    Media will be escorted by a public affairs representative at all times while in coalition areas, at all tactical or field locations and encampments, unless embedded with a unit.  When escorted, media must remain with escorts until released and will follow instructions regarding their activities.
    3.    When embedded with a unit, media must remain with that unit at all times.
    4.    Media will not carry or possess personal weapons, knives, firearms or alcohol.
    5.    The media is responsible for loading and carrying its own equipment at all times.
    6.    Under no circumstances will media take photographs or video of detainees or persons in custody (to include recognizable face, nametag or other identifying feature), detainee or custody facilities or operations in Afghanistan.  No interviews with detainees or persons in custody will be granted.
    7.    Media will not photograph Special Operations Forces or other equipment.  Only photos of personnel in U.S. uniforms will be allowed.
    8.    The following categories of information are not releasable since their publication or broadcast jeopardize operations and endanger lives:
    9.    Specific numerical information on troop strength, equipment or critical supplies (e.g. artillery, tanks, landing craft, radars, trucks, water, etc.) for U.S. or coalition units.
    10.    Names of military installations or specific geographic locations of military units in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, unless released by the Department of Defense.
    11.    Information regarding future operations, current operations or strikes including postponed or cancelled operations.
    12.    Information regarding security precautions or force protection measures at military installations or encampments, to include video or still footage.  CFC-A PAO may allow photography/video on a case-by-case basis if footage is reviewed prior to release.
    13.    Photography that shows level of security at military installations or encampments, especially aerial and satellite photography which reveals the name or specific location of military units or installations.
    14.    Information on intelligence collection activities/operations compromising tactics, techniques and procedures to include targets, methods, analyses and/or results.
    15.    Information and images of special operations units, U.S. or coalition, unless otherwise directed by the CFC-A public affairs or granted prior approval by Combined Joint Special Operation Task Force (CJSOTF).
    16.    Rules of engagement details.
    17.    During an operation, specific information on friendly forces, troop movements, tactical deployments, and dispositions that would jeopardize operational security or lives.  Information on ongoing engagements will not be released unless authorized for release by the on-scene commander.
    18.    Information on effectiveness of enemy electronic warfare.
    19.    Any additional guidelines the CFC-A PAO determines necessary to protect tactical security.
    20.    Photos of local nationals employed by the coalition may not be published without written consent of the individual photographed or the Commander of the unit the individual is supporting.
    21.    Media may terminate coverage and/or embed opportunity at any time and will be offered
        transportation from the area of operations, if the tactical situation permits and/or is available.



Hold Harmless/Release from Liability Statement
 I recognize that covering combat and other military operations carries with it certain inherent risks to life, limb and equipment. I recognize that U.S. military, in pursuing the successful accomplishment of its mission, cannot guarantee my personal safety or the safety of my equipment. I hereby release the U.S. government and the U.S. military of any liability and hold them harmless for any injuries I may suffer or any equipment that may be damaged as a result of my covering combat or any other military operations. I understand that my agreement to this statement is a condition of being credentialed to cover U.S. military operations and receiving assistance for that coverage.
         In consideration of receiving free transportation from the United States Military by land, air or other means that may be reasonably required to cover military operations in Afghanistan, I hereby release the United States Government, including its subdivisions, officers, military personnel, employees, and agents from all liability for any injuries or death that may result to me from this transportation, whether caused by negligence or otherwise.
           I understand that in transporting me, the United States Government is not acting as a common carrier for hire and does not bear the liabilities attaching to that status.
            I acknowledge that I voluntarily accept such transportation, I incur no obligation toward the United States Government except as imposed by this release.
            I agree that this release not only binds me, but also my family, heirs, assigns, administrators, and executors.

Final Project

As to the final project, the topic is up to you. But it should be something that allows you to demonstrate all the skills that we've been working on this semester.

It should be on a topic that you believe is important to write about, that has impact, that is unique. It should be something that you have been able to develop out of your education about the Ithaca community.

It should be something that matters.

If you think you have such a story, then great. Let's talk.

A letter from Lt. Col Fanning about embedded reporter Dave Tobin

-----Original Message-----
From: Fanning, Paul A CIV USA NGB 

Sent: 5/20/2009 9:29 AM

John:

There were at least two photographers that I am sure have the right shot and
I will track them down and get back ASAP.  I was the narrator for the
ceremony and wasn't taking the shots myself otherwise you would have them
now.

As for the award, we have complete professional respect for Dave and the Post
Standard and as an organization wanted to and felt compelled to express it.
More over, our sentiments were shared and driven by the feedback from our
military families, veterans groups and from those in the community who
reached out to us after reading Dave's reports.  This is our way of saluting
him and his special contribution to the community. 

Dave and the paper had a tremendous impact because of what was reported and
the way in which it was done. Dave earned -- won the trust of everyone back
home and in the combat zone.  His reporting was independent, accurate and
comprehensive.  He was not a guy who stayed at the base.  He went out nearly
everyday on convoys to get his stories and he went "down range" to remote
sites as well.  he shared the same risks as the soldiers who went "outside
the wire" on a daily basis.

He never missed an opportunity, didn't waste any time and I only saw his
stories and photos when they were posted on line at the paper's website.
I also say his reporting was compelling due to the feedback that came our
way.  Bottom line -- he was on target.  

I know a lot of us who are saying "if you want to know what it was really
like for us in Afghanistan go to the Post Standard's website Following Orion
and read Dave Tobin's reports."

I do hope that the paper's Central New York readers appreciate Dave's work
and the paper's commitment to the story of our deployment and mission. We
believe it was a very important story that needed to be told and he did tell
it -- extremely well, THE BEST.  We appreciate that all newspapers are under
incredible pressure today but are grateful on behalf of the community that
Dave and the Post Standard went above and beyond in its mission to serve
them.

I also mentioned to Dave that I am actively seeking opportunities to engage
with academia and news organizations about war coverage and the Army's
embedded media program and NY's experience in particular.  I think Dave has
an important story to tell on his own about his role and that of the Post
Standard's.

I will try and get photos to you ASAP.

Lt. Col. Paul Fanning

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/news/news.php?id=1219956578

Wall Street Journal 

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=23520

Reporting on war

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/christopherhowse/3647251/First_and_greatest_war_correspondent/ 

http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/erniepyle/

The Death of Captain Waskow

http://todayshistorylesson.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/ernie-pyle-writer-war-hero/ 

http://www.bebo.com/BlogView.jsp?MemberId=271453248&BlogId=6376773354 

http://college.cengage.com/english/lauter/heath/4e/students/author_pages/contemporary/herr_mi.html 

http://www.johnsack.com/company_c_associated_press.htm 

http://www.johnsack.com/company_c_scene.htm 

http://www.esquire.com/features/vietnam-war-m-company-0365 

http://www.esquire.com/features/page-75/greatest-stories 

http://www.pbs.org/weta/reportingamericaatwar/reporters/ 

My Lai 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/trenches/my_lai.html 

Geraldo Rivera 

Cortland Standard job

The Cortland Standard, a 10,000 circulation daily halfway between Ithaca and Syracuse, is seeking candidates for a full-time news reporter job. “ Experience at a smaller daily or large weekly is preferred, but we will consider accomplished college grads with experience at a college newspaper and solid clips.”  Send resume, five writing samples and cover letter to the Cortland Standard, Attention: Kevin Conlon, Managing Editor, PO Box 5548, 110 Main St., Cortland, NY 13045
From journalismjobs.com

We will have an unexpected guest speaker

Next Wednesday, both of my News II sections will be meeting in Park 220 at 2 p.m. to welcome Lt. Col. Fanning of the New York National Guard. Lt. Col. Fanning handles media relations for his unit which spent a year in Afghanistan. The entire unit came back safely. He had spoken to Ithaca College journalism students in Fall of 2007 before deployment, and now we have a chance to speak to him post-deployment.

Here is a list of links that he suggested you look at in preparation for his talk:

Here are some links for your consideration.  
 http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/arng/27bct/27bct.php  This is our state website
page that covers the deplpyment of 1700 NY National guard men and women to
Afghanistan in 2008.  There is a lot of material there including weekly
electronic newsletters (46 in total) so that the public and military families
could stay informed.

http://www.syracuse.com/following-orion/  this is a fantastic newspaper web
journal that was set up and run by a reporter who came over to afghanistan
and embedded with our team for nearly 2 months.  I understand Dave Tobin is
actually an Ithaca College alum.

 http://www.dailygazette.com/weblogs/brigade/  this is a community blog at
another daily newspaper that I contributed to as sort of a web column.  Like
the page before the latest entry is first.  The last entry was actually a
story written about me by one of the paper's reporters as a capstone to the
nearly year-long exeperience and connection with the Daily Gazette.  I spoke
candidly in my entries and received postive feedback.  I chose to participate
in this fashion with the paper on an invitation from them and a calculation
on my part to reach out to a different audience and some of the same
audiences but in a different way.  The effort paid off well.

I am prepared to discuss what it was like to serve as an Army public affairs
officer in a combat zone, to host and support 30 embedded civilian news media
representatives, to conduct telephone and satellite feed media outreach
efforts, to generate press releases and respond to media queries and acquire
and produce articles, photos and video of military operations for
distribution to the press.

Science writing

Dorothy Nelkin

Selling Science

This well-documented study of science writing for the general public in the United States is frequently critical in tone. Nelkin demonstrates through many quotations that science writers frequently act as promoters of science and technology, depicting scientists as miracle workers who are constantly achieving "breakthroughs." She is properly scornful of the superficial, "gee whiz" brand of coverage so often produced by the popular press; she examines the constraints and pressures on science writers and explores the sometimes uneasy relations between research scientists and science writers. A challenging, worthwhile book, recommended for academic and public libraries. Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=K7CFVvgLg4Fdh5SFbMVJGVGn41YQRP5NWFGTvZTpJCxQLyQfpwWQ!-867034830!1795388119?docId=5002554267


http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/05/weekinreview/ideas-trends-it-s-alive-it-s-alive.html?scp=4&sq=dorothy%20nelkin&st=cse

Award-winning journalism, community journalism

http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/Public-Service


http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=61526

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/16/us/town-gets-clean-water-as-paper-gets-a-pulitzer.html

http://www.wdnweb.com/our_newspaper/about_us/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/invisible/deaths5.htm 

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/5747 

http://www.gannett.com/go/newswatch/2002/may/claxton.htm

Hoaxes

http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=1277

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/the_society_for_indecency_to_naked_animals/ 

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/display/category/alan_abel/ 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0008433/

http://www.joeyskaggs.com/ 

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/ 

http://www.snopes.com/

Ithaca Journal 11/9

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20091108/NEWS01/911080372&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Pultizer Prizes

http://info.vassar.edu/news/2009-2010/091116-urbanstu-berzon-pulitzertalk.html


http://www.pulitzer.org/press_releases

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/apr/21/sun-wins-pulitzer-prize/

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/topics/construction-deaths/

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/mar/30/construction-deaths/

Rashomon and Courage Under Fire

In 12th century Japan, a samurai and his wife are attacked by the notorious bandit Tajomaru, and the samurai ends up dead. Tajomaru is captured shortly afterward and is put on trial, but his story and the wife's are so completely different that a psychic is brought in to allow the murdered man to give his own testimony. He tells yet another completely different story. Finally, a woodcutter who found the body reveals that he saw the whole thing, and his version is again completely different from the others.

Fair and balanced vs. objective and truthful

http://energysmart.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/tradition-washpost-global-warming-reporting-fair-and-balanced/

http://www.crosswalk.com/1303136/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laurie-david/global-warming-time-for-t_b_7938.html

Mrs. Kelley's Monster

http://www.jonfranklin.com/Stories/Mrs_Kellys_Monster.html

Global warming vs. climate change

http://scienceblogs.com/framing-science/2009/06/study_do_the_terms_global_warm.php

http://mises.org/Community/blogs/tokyotom/archive/2008/04/08/why-those-sneaky-enviros-changed-from-quot-global-warming-quot-to-quot-climate-change-quot.aspx

A new route beyond the Last Frontier

The melting polar ice cap is opening the forbidding waters at the top of the world to shipping -- and intensifying concerns about regulating maritime operations and protecting the fragile environment.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-arctic-shipping11-2009oct11,0,4789963.story?page=1

NASA Launches Mission To Track Polar Ice By Plane

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114299675

A Reporting Error Frozen in Time?

Writing about issues such as global warming is complicated, and too few reporters brush up on their science when doing so.

http://www.cjr.org/behind_the_news/a_reporting_error_frozen_in_ti.php

Calculating Emissions Is Problematic

Calculating Emissions Is Problematic

By SINDYA N. BHANOO

Published: October 23, 2009

An accounting irregularity in the way some greenhouse gas emissions are calculated could hobble efforts to reduce them, scientists warn in a new report.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/science/earth/23biofuel.html

A Bid to Cut Emissions Looks Away From Coal

A Bid to Cut Emissions Looks Away From Coal
By MATTHEW L. WALD
Published: November 1, 2009
As Congress debates legislation to slow global warming by limiting emissions, engineers are tinkering with ways to capture and store carbon dioxide, the leading heat-trapping gas.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/science/earth/01carbon.html

Scientists decode DNA of domestic pig