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Peter Arnett's Freedom of Speech

Reader comment on item: Iraq: What's Next?

Submitted by William Lucas Jones (United States), Mar 31, 2003 at 19:56

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- NBC announced Monday that both NBC and National Geographic severed their relationships with veteran war correspondent Peter Arnett.
On Sunday, NBC News had issued a statement supporting Arnett, saying that Arnett gave the interview to Iraqi TV as a "professional courtesy" and that his remarks "were analytical in nature and were not intended to be anything more."
But a day later, NBC issued a different statement. "It was wrong for him to grant an interview to state-run Iraqi TV, especially in a time of war."
National Geographic issued a statement that read:
"The Society did not authorize or have any prior knowledge of Arnett's television interview with Iraqi television, and had we been consulted, would not have allowed it."

All of this is very distressing to me. As a result of NBC/Nat’l Geographic’s actions curtailing freedom of speech and freedom of the press, I will now sever all relationships I have had, with them, now and in the future. I will encourage all of my friends and family to do so also.

If I were a practicing "Journalist", I would go on strike until this very fine reporter was restored and those responsible for terminating him, were theirselves, terminated. I sincerely doubt this will happen since there are few real journalists left.

Sincerely,

William Lucas Jones

Submitting....

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Reader comments (34) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
treason? [185 words]ken yetzerApr 3, 2003 03:037985
Iraqi Peter [64 words]Love My SoldiersApr 2, 2003 06:037928
Professional issue, not a political one [79 words]Molly A. Badgett, APRApr 1, 2003 22:267914
Against war [29 words]Mohammad Ali KhalidApr 1, 2003 21:447911
Too Many Are Missing the Point [127 words]Jason McMahonApr 1, 2003 21:287910
Arnett [25 words]Edgardo GascaApr 1, 2003 21:117908
Arnett should seek another country [43 words]AnnetteApr 1, 2003 18:047894
Bravo arnet..la libertad de expresion no debe morir [60 words]dessin georgesApr 1, 2003 15:447877
Peter Arnett's freedom to speak [48 words]lucy koteenApr 1, 2003 09:397843
Pulitzer Prize for Deception [33 words]NickApr 1, 2003 09:237841
The Truth? [826 words]David UmbargerApr 1, 2003 01:487835
Arnett is entitled to his opinion but... [46 words]Sgt. William R. SayersMar 31, 2003 21:307829
Disgusted with Arnett [81 words]Dr. Larry LippincottMar 31, 2003 21:277828
Peter Arnett's Freedom of Speech [217 words]William Lucas JonesMar 31, 2003 19:567826
May he rot [106 words]DeeDee MoxieMar 31, 2003 18:577823
Arnett's firing is absurd [133 words]wpcMar 31, 2003 18:057822
Arnett the Traitor [13 words]John DanielsMar 31, 2003 17:297820
Peter Arnett [10 words]Rose Marie GruttadauriaMar 31, 2003 17:097818
Pulitzer Prize Winner - Mr. Arnett [66 words]Robert W. WylieMar 31, 2003 12:507812
Bravo Peter Arnett, bravo! [50 words]Laurie ManisMar 31, 2003 12:077810
Another Jane Fonda wannabe [154 words]Robert HuffordMar 31, 2003 10:397807
Peter Arnett fired [35 words]susana bonilla matthewsMar 31, 2003 09:347805
Re: Peter Arnett [199 words]Barbara MireauMar 31, 2003 07:377804
Peter Arnett [89 words]HowieMar 31, 2003 01:527801
Slimy Arnett [49 words]MYWhiteMar 31, 2003 00:097799
Peter Arnett [31 words]Les StierwaltMar 30, 2003 20:287792
Peter Arnett has hurt the war [34 words]John SchlagMar 30, 2003 19:237790
Arnett has gone too far" [100 words]Geraldine M SepulvedaMar 30, 2003 18:487789
another jane fonda [39 words]chester bartkoMar 30, 2003 18:177788
Heck, no he hasn't mellowed! [16 words]M. McAlexanderMar 30, 2003 18:117787
Drain the Swamp [109 words]Glenn KlotzAug 19, 2002 06:431987
Pearls Before Swine [181 words]D.R.Aug 17, 2002 00:531962
Has Peter Arnett mellowed? [35 words]Paul M. NevilleAug 16, 2002 17:341957
Matthews was unfair to Pipes and Hackworth [56 words]Alan MencheerAug 16, 2002 07:501949

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