Dave Mazzarella

Readers' Corner

Ombudsman Dave Mazzarella answers reader questions about Stars and Stripes.

Column: On the reporting of U.S. military war deaths

Posted May 7th, 2007 by Dave Mazzarella
in

Every so often a reader will complain to Stars and Stripes about an item that
appears every day in the Mideast and Europe editions: It’s a daily dispatch from
The Associated Press reporting how many deaths of U.S. servicemembers have
occurred in Iraq and, when available, the names of those fallen.

Read the rest of the column 

U.S. Service Members' Deaths

On May 11th, 2007 JetTx says:

I would personally like to see the AP item kept and I find value in it.

You may be right about the redundancy factor, but complaints that reporting news is morale buster, or the even more ridiculous claim that reporting news is somehow providing support to the enemy, should be disregarded. If the news is a morale buster, then don’t read the news. As for equating news to supporting the enemy, that is just asinine.

The same sentiment is in Appeal for Courage’s silly online petition which urges “political leaders to actively oppose [“media attacks”] which embolden the enemy while demoralizing American support…” Those people calling for legislators to “actively oppose” the media and similar actions against U.S. Constitutional rights of free speech and press, just need to grow up.

Don’t give in Dave.

Complain

On May 21st, 2007 Haidar says:

As a reader ,since 2004 , for stars and stripes I like to show my respect to this newspaper and I think they are doing the right thing about the names of the soldiers .I wonder if Stars and Stripes can discuss another matter ? That is the ( Iraqi Local translators with USF and their suffering in getting the Visa for USA . )

The names, ages and

On June 9th, 2007 Dave Hamilton says:

The names, ages and hometowns of the brave servicemembers who gave the ultimate for their country should be printed, after notification of next of kin of course. They are real people, with real families and friends. Maybe some Americans who live in freedom will see them and hopefully realize that freedom is not, and has never been, free -- even if many of them take it for granted.