In Iraq, Reporters Quote the GIs That Embed Them

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When considering the practice of embedding journalists with U.S. military units in Iraq, the question is not whether they "can provide neutral reporting," but "whether embedded reporters had the access or opportunity to talk with people other than the soldiers." That's the conclusion of a Penn State study that reviewed nearly 750 print articles in major outlets by more than 150 journalists -- some embedded, some reporting from Baghdad hotels, and others reporting independently. Embedded reporters relied heavily on soldiers for information; 93 percent of their stories featured soldiers as sources. Only 43 percent of independent reporters' stories featured soldiers as sources. Iraqis were sources in just 41 percent of embedded reporters' articles, compared to 73 percent for independent reporters. The study also found that "articles by embedded reporters were both more prominent and more widely available than other types of reporting." From mid-March to May 2003, 100 percent of USA Today's Iraq articles came from embedded reporters.