From a Feb. 4 Washington Times editorial: CNN's line of fire:
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, during a discussion on media and democracy, [CNN chief news executive Eason] Jordan apparently told the audience that "he knew of 12 journalists who had not only been killed by U.S. troops in Iraq, but they had in fact been targeted," according to a report on the forum's Web site. The account was corroborated by the Wall Street Journal and National Review Online, although no transcript of the discussion has surfaced. ...In any event, it's an assertion Mr. Jordan has made before. In November, as reported in the London Guardian, Mr. Jordan said, "The reality is that at least 10 journalists have been killed by the U.S. military, and according to reports I believe to be true journalists have been arrested and tortured by U.S. forces." This is very serious stuff, if true. Yet aside from Mr. Jordan's occasional comments, there's no evidence to support it. Mr. Jordan's almost immediate backpedaling seems to confirm this. In a statement to blogger Carol Platt Liebau, Mr. Jordan said, "To be clear, I do not believe the U.S. military is trying to kill journalists in Iraq. I said so during the forum panel discussion. But, nonetheless, the U.S. military has killed several journalists in Iraq in cases of mistaken identity." He added, "three of my CNN colleagues and many other journalists have been killed on purpose in Iraq." He didn't elaborate by whom.
This is a grossly inadequate explanation; to say someone is "targeted" means they are being aimed at intentionally, not mistakenly -- especially in the context of war. A chief news executive of a worldwide news network would know that. Furthermore, when considering Jordan's past statements on this subject, the explanation becomes even less believable (if that's possible).
Many bloggers have been following this story in depth. For more information see (among others): Captain's Quarters, Hugh Hewitt, a new blog dedicated to the controversy, Easongate, and of course Little Green Footballs and InstaPundit.
The cartoon below was created in April 2003, the last time Jordan was making news instead of reporting it (original post here.) This cartoon is in our latest book Black & White World II.
UPDATE I -- February 8: Roger L. Simon has more on the latest: Kurtz Speaks on Mr. Jordan. (Via InstaPundit)
UPDATE II -- February 10: From The Wall Street Journal's Bret Stephens: 'Easongate': What did CNN's chief really say at Davos? I was there.
UPDATE III -- February 13: From CNN on Feb. 11: CNN News Executive Eason Jordan Quits.
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