Military Retreats On Journalist Restrictions In Iraq

The U.S. military ordered and then took back a directive that would have restricted journalists from going with American troops on all but routine missions in Iraq. According to the Associated Press, "The directive told commanders throughout Iraq that reporters, photographers and television crews would be prohibited from traveling with the military on some operations as so-called 'embedded' journalists. The U.S. military headquarters in Baghdad rescinded the order shortly after The Associated Press reported on it. No explanation was given. ... Media coverage of the frequent U.S. raids has resulted in some unflattering pictures of American troops entering Iraqis' homes and holding families at gunpoint during searches for weapons, Saddam loyalists and anti-American attackers."