In case you missed it, freelance journalist and noted blogger Christopher Allbritton has returned to Iraq. He arrived May 19. I’ve been following his reports through his blog Back to Iraq.
His report yesterday, “A Day in Hell,” was stunning. At 8:20 am, a car bomb exploded just down the block from Allbritton’s hotel. Four people were injured. Killed was Ali Abbas: a chatty 11-year old boy who had brought Allbritton water on his first night back in Baghdad.
This, in my opinion, exemplifies the best of what weblogs can do. This kind of blogging has revived the role of the correspondent (as opposed to “reporter”) in a very vivid and personal way…
Allbritton’s work is not dry reporting of facts. Rather, it is (in my opinion) truly great journalism. He is there on his own, as an independent journalist, his trip funded largely by donations from his weblog readers. He’s got the skills and experience to do this job. I applaud his initiative, and wish more journalists would follow suit – whether abroad or in their own hometowns.
The media landscape definitely needs more skilled correspondents. There’s plenty of room for them in the blogosphere.
Allbritton’s writing is tight and compelling. His photography is excellent and a vital complement to his words. This is literally some of the best reporting from Iraq I’m finding in any media. Don’t miss it.
The comments to Allbritton’s articles, and his responses, add even more depth and a personal connection to this project. Here’s one example, from the comment thread associated with the car bomb article I mentioned:
(Posted by: defib on May 26, 2004 01:52 PM)
Er, just thinking, here. When you hear a car bomb go off, is it really a good idea to run toward it as fast as you can? ‘Cause if I were a bomber intent on inflicting maximum casualties, I’d set off another one as soon as the first crowd assembled.
Maybe this is what journalists are paid to do. Maybe that’s why I’m not a journalist, I dunno.
(Posted by: Christopher Allbritton on May 26, 2004 02:21 PM )
secondary bombs are usually set in the path of the rescue workers. I wasn’t on that path. But yeah, most sane people run from bombs instead of running toward them. I actually didn’t think about this until you mentioned it.
…Good work, Chris. Thanks for doing it. Stay safe.
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