When DOES “journalism” cross the line? Typically we’re told it’s when the news reports put people in danger. That was the case with Prince Harry of the UK (3rd in line to the throne). Even the typically obnoxious British press had agreed not to publicize his deployment until he returned lest Al Queda target him and put not only the Prince, but others at risk. Well, thank special thanks to the media outlets that outed the prince, and put both his life and the lives of those around him in greater danger. Apparently a prince and other people’s safety is irrelevant.
Anyway, if you get the chance, go to this LINK and watch the video. It’s way better than the article, and the article’s pretty good.
Like the Prince or not (he’s made some grand fubar’s in the past), I have to say ‘well done’ to the man. He chose to go to Afghanistan, used his considerable clout to make it happen, and he went to the worst place he could at the worst time he could (Christmas last year). That counts a lot towards making up for any BS he’s done in the past as a kid.
Thank you Prince Harry & sorry about our “press”
According to this Fox News report, the leak was from an Australian magazine and a German newspaper: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,333568,00.html, although I see that Drudge is crowing about breaking it, so I don’t know….
The kid deserves credit for going, and using his influence (however much he has) to make it happen. This is something what he wanted to do, along with the desire to be a soldier. Like Scott said, “well done.”
McCain had a son on the front lines in Iraq and the enemy couldn’t touch him, let alone hold him hostage.
I wouldn’t be too worried about saying he is in Afganistan. His name will probably be used as bait. What enemy force wouldn’t fall for it each and every time? He could be the Kilroy of Afganistan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilroy_was_here
Gregory, he’s protected by Ghurkas=very little danger of being taken. Besides, word is that he’s already been recalled.
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I find it quite interesting that closeted Drudge is the one to expose Prince Harry.
Sorry, but we had every right to know this story. Harry is the third-in-line to the head of the British State, he is an important symbol of the executive which has the exclusive power to declare war, his death in combat has obvious implications for the lineage of the Crown and the complexity of the State, and there is thus as obvious immediacy to his subjects that his life is directly under threat.
Scott: Here’s the story of the lucky lotto soldier:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/WaterCooler/story?id=4358724
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What baloney. You had every right to know the story when he comes back, there is no reason whatsoever you needed to know now. Now that you know, what changes? Nothing except the guy is now in much more danger, including his comrades.
A right to need to know now….give me a break.
Skeptic is in fact correct. The original story was broken by the Australian Magazine New Idea on 2-18-08. Although they pulled the story today after the Drudge rehashed it, you can go to their Yahoo website, and find the original link by searching “Prince Harry.” The page now however is redirected to Prince Harry’s biography, so you have to look at the search information on the link itself.
This is the story’s first link:
http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/new-idea/8771/prince-harry-goes-to-war-in-afghanistan
That’s the original link. Interesting to see how many people haven’t edited their stories to reflect this and keep saying it was the Drudge Report. And retracting all the things they’ve said as a consequence….
Well I think waht Harry is doning out there is really life affirming news.
Who know’s what he’ll be upto next:
http://poochat.blogspot.com/2008/02/prince-harry-coming-at-you.html
I am absolutely disgusted. I can’t believe anyone especially Drudge would brag about doing something so amazingly stupid.
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I say, great work Harry! It was bound to come to light at some point…
Now, check out these clowns.
THE LEAST BELIEVABLE MOVIE SOLDIERS!
http://www.maxim.com/Theleastbelievablemoviesoldiers/articles/2/19095.aspx?src=tstlbs
COPY AND PASTE IF YOU NEED TO…IT’S HYSTERICAL.
Reuters reports:
‘An Australian Web site got wind of something in January, but not enough to make it stick.
German newspaper Bild ran a gossip item on Wednesday, but again the Ministry of Defence hoped the chatter would quickly die down. Until the U.S. Drudge Report blog picked it up.
“Once Drudge had it, it went global and the agreement was basically over,” the Ministry of Defence said on Friday.’
So, while Drudge’s leak may not have been the first, it would seem that his was the most damaging in the eyes of the Ministry.
By the way, I think it stinks that he has to be recalled. I understand why–simply because his presence will now put his fellow soldiers in greater danger, if nothing else–but I don’t think that we have to know this sort of thing in real-time.
I’d be willing to bet that somewhere there is some news person enjoying a huge bonus for getting another effective Allied soldier off the battlefield. One thing should be noted however, it won’t be Saddam writing out the check, like he used for the family of the suicide bombers.
The original story was broken by the Australian Magazine New Idea on 2-18-08. …. Interesting to see how many people haven’t edited their stories to reflect this and keep saying it was the Drudge Report. And retracting all the things they’ve said as a consequence….
———————————————————
And how many people read it?
How many news organizations picked up on it?
Now ask – how many people read Drudge? How many news organizations picked up on it ?
In addition, the Australian women’s magazine didn’t know about the news embargo agreement at the time they published the information, and have publicly apologized for doing so.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/29/wdrudge129.xml
On the other hand, Drudge knew all about it and ran the story anyway. And is not only unapologetic, but probably loving the traffic spike.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/29/wdrudge229.xml
See the difference?
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Yea and all that publicity he and the Royals were to get was not a factor. Hmmm bull-crap.
Maybe next time the MOD will include Drudge in their perk packet for journos who censor the news.
Funny how none of you are upset that CNN, AP, BBC — all lefty anti-American sites that run piece after piece on our classified secrets — made a special deal to censor themselves. Wasn’t it just last week you were complaining that the Lefty NYT had held a story for just the right time?
Oh the stench of hypocrisy.
Actually the story broke on Jan 7, not feb 18. I also find it funny that you say that Drudge “knew all about it” and have nothing to back that up with. Not that it matters if he did. Also the Aussies are part of the realm, America is not; see the difference?
Oh yes, there’s a stench all right.
Re: “I’d be willing to bet that somewhere there is some news person enjoying a huge bonus for getting another effective Allied soldier off the battlefield. ”
Yes. His name is Drudge.