Telling War Stories Isn't Easy

For the past week, the news has been filled with updates on ABC co-anchor Bob Woodruff's status following his injury from a roadside bomb in Iraq.

Read about his injuries:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/01/29/iraq.main/

Woodruff and his cameraman aren't the first reporters injured in the war in Iraq, but they are driving home a reality. Journalism can be a dangerous profession.

In a recent announcement, the International Federation of Journalists declared that in 2005, journalist deaths hit a record high. The report identifies 89 journalists murdered as a result of their profession, but the total number of deaths was 150 in 2005.

The annual report, entitled "Targeting and tragedy – journalists and media staff killed in 2005," reveals that there is a growing trend to assassinate journalists.

Get the full report:
http://www.ifj-asia.org/files/ifj2005killed_list.pdf

According to the report, a large number of the deliberate killings occurred in the Middle East, with all but three of the deaths occurring in Iraq. It seems to make sense: Covering a war is dangerous business.

Woodruff's injuries are just another reminder and serve a symbol for not only how dangerous it is for U.S. soldiers, but also for reporters trying to tell the public what is happening in the war. Telling war stories isn't easy.