My favorite media guidelines were issued by Gen. Mark Gurganus and a Captain whose name I cannot remember.
General Gurganus tells his Marines to talk with the media about what they know. If you're a fire-team leader, talk about what you do as fire-team leader. If you're an AmTracker, talk about what you do as an AmTracker.
Gurganus continued explaining how there were questions for the Company Commander, Battalion Commander, the Colonel and the General and if the young guys get asked a question that is for the General, they should tell the reporter to ask the General.
The Captain had even better advice. It went something like this:
Whatever you say to a reporter will be with you forever. In this age of Google and Lexis searches, anything you say will follow you around forever. Choose your words wisely and think about how you want your time in Iraq to be remembered.
I have adopted a similar policy when I live with infantry units.
When the camera is off, we are off the record. I may use the words I hear, but will not attribute them to a particular person.
When a Soldier or Marine is mic'ed up and on camera then it is obvious--anything they say can and will be used.
Ambient audio when outside the wire is usually so focused on the job I don't catch anything anyone would later regret.
I don't know if Private Beauchamp will regret any of the things he has written.
In this age of Google and Lexis, all those blog and MySpace posts will follow him around forever and this episode as a New Republic author will cast a shadow on any future literary efforts.
Beauchamp's education is something many can learn from.
Help JD get back to Iraq! Buy a DVD or Contribute below.
JD is currently editing the follow-up to his 2005-2006 documentary Outside The Wire. He will return to Iraq to shoot another documentary as soon as it is released.
We all know that freedom is not free--and neither is reporting from Iraq.
Each digital tape capturing the heroic efforts of Soldiers and Marines costs $7. JD uses almost 100 tapes on each trip. One DVD buys one tape that will permanently capture what the media refuses to cover.
As you know JD spends his time in Iraq with the Soldiers and Marines doing the work Outside The Wire. That means hundred and thousands of dollars of equipment and gear gets damaged. Three dollars buys a new protective lens cover. Fifty dollars buys a pair of ballistic glasses. Just to get there, the airfare costs $1,500.
It all helps and it is all needed to tell the story that is not being told.
If you have the desire and means to contribute more and be a co-producer please contact JD via email.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and any support you can give.
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