Rosie DiManno back in Afghanistan

Toronto Star Columnist Rosie DiManno is back in Afghanistan reporting on the upcoming Afghan elections. Today's column is classic Rosie and well worth the read. Don't be surprised if you see an AP photo in the near future featuring a certain French photographer hog-tied with a sock in his mouth.

I don't often wade through the comments at the Star, but one caught my eye today on her article:

'Rosie' writes like a fiction writer. And it sure sounds like a pretty cool trip that we'd like to be on if we have the guts.But it's not and people are dying because NATO are there.Get out now and let the Afhganis manage there own in there own way.

Submitted by Robert.P at 9:20 AM Thursday, August 06 2009

This post led to another post by glenfitz:

Message to Robert. P: Maybe her narrative sounds like "fiction" because it is fiction

There is no doubt in my mind that if the Coalition forces have any say in the pieces written by embedded reporters, then those reporters will write fiction. Likely the only old and worn out clich? that still remains as true as ever is the one that says, "truth is the first casualty of war." Oh and by the way, if anyone has any doubts about the influence that the military command in Afghanistan wields over reporters should ponder that reporters deemed unsuitable by the military have been sent home before---and that includes Canadian journalists. Here is a report (follow the link) from ABC news about Canadian reporters the military command had no use for: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1819811.htm

Submitted by glenfitz at 10:38 AM Thursday, August 06 2009

And Rosie's response:

@Glen Fitz, Listen up

In answer to your question, even though it was snidely posed: NO, I am not embedded. But I resent the implication that embedded reporters are not to be trusted. I've been embedded in the past and no one from the military has ever vetted or interfered with my writing, nor the writing of any other journalist, to my knowledge. You are all entitled to your own opinion but you are not entitled to your own conspiratorial facts...rosie d.

Submitted by rosie.d at 11:53 AM Thursday, August 06 2009

Sock it too 'em Rosie. All of them!

You're a class act and we look forward to your no holds barred reports. Keep up the good work, and keep your head down.