At the start of the war, we credentialed embeds for local units. And then the units we worked with were reassigned before deploying to the war zone. Our embeds at that time, both reporters and photographers, were covered by special insurance riders that would have provided good coverage in the event of injury or death. But since 2005, our insurance companies have declined to provide similar coverage. Special policies bought on the open market would cost us $25,000 per staffer for three months, and that's assuming they would go as military embeds. I’m not sure we could find anyone to insure someone going independently without the limited protection of the embed relationship. The big media companies self insure or they send staff without special insurance relying on waivers signed by the reporters. We can't do the former and I think the latter is unconscionable. I just won’t do it. Staff or freelance, if we want the coverage we should pay to support it. If we can't pay, no play. I know journalists need to be in Iraq and Americans need to know what is happening. And I honor those who make the requisite sacrifices. But I won’t be a party to helping someone go to Iraq without the financial support necessary to cover worst-case contingencies. Am I comfortable with this response? Absolutely not -- Editor Steve Smith, News Is A Conversation.

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Question: What would you do if you were Editor Steve Smith in this situation?

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