Back in the late 80s, PBS ran a series of panel discussions entitled “Ethics in America”. The final episode was about ethics in war entitled “Under Orders, Under Fire”. I can’t find the video clip but one of the scenarios set forth by the moderator was to put Peter Jennings as an embedded journalist with an enemy force and inquire if he would attempt to warn US Marines of an impending ambush. At first Jennings said that he would and was quickly scolded by Mike Wallace and changed his mind, reasoning that his job was to cover the story and not be a part of it. He was a journalist, not an American journalist.
The moderator then inquired of a USMC Lieutenant Colonel what he thought about Jennings answer. He said that he was disgusted. He then stated if Jennings were wounded behind enemy lines that he would have to send Marines in who may die to save Jennings life.
Jennings was speechless.
The full episode may be found here.
http://www.learner.org/resources/series81.html
The moderator then inquired of a USMC Lieutenant Colonel what he thought about Jennings answer. He said that he was disgusted. He then stated if Jennings were wounded behind enemy lines that he would have to send Marines in who may die to save Jennings life.
Jennings was speechless.
The full episode may be found here.
http://www.learner.org/resources/series81.html