Prince Harry's Tour of Duty in Afghanistan Dec 2007-Feb 2008

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by karla64

it reported: Harry is in Afghanistan (sp?)

DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2008®

What a disgrace this 'newspaper' is, to break the news. Shameful, they should be prosecuted!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Isana

I do not know how long the soldiers usually stay in Afghanistan but assuming its 12 weeks, his time would have been up anyways, hence the media reports, pictures and interview. I just hope to see him back home safely soon.

They normally stay for 4-6 months and he was NOT due to return soon!

Originally Posted by Isana

I do not know how long the soldiers usually stay in Afghanistan but assuming its 12 weeks, his time would have been up anyways, hence the media reports, pictures and interview. I just hope to see him back home safely soon.

The interview was given, on a good faith basis, one the Australian, German & US 'journalists' broke.

Originally Posted by Empress

I don't think it does anyone any good for this to be out while he is still there. I am all for letting it be known once it is done and gone, but this puts not only himself, but his troops in danger. It's disgraceful that the media needs to publish everything in an attempt to beat out their competitor. Unless BP let this out themselves, I think that it should have stayed quiet until he returned home.

It was supposed to stay quiet until he was home, but the journalists were allowed to get their 'war photos' in preparation for the release of the story. All the other media outlets had kept to the agreement, just these '******' releasing details and now all hell will break loose. Not only in the media but every allied unit, every soldier in Afghanistan is now at greater risk!

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

What a disgrace this 'newspaper' is, to break the news. Shameful, they should be prosecuted!!!!!!!!
[shortened]

For what exactly should the newspaper in question be prosecuted? Allow to remind you that the UK and other well-developed stable European monarchies/ democracies pride themselves on having a free press.Furthermore, I am inclined to think that the newspaper in question has bought the information about Prince Harry's duty in Afghanistan. This may imply there is an individual, who has sold this information without due regard for possible adverse consequences.
I am glad to learn that Prince Harry has got an opportunity to serve his country in such troubled zone as Afghanistan. His presence may improve morale among British military personnel. At the same time, his presence poses great concerns for his security and commanding officers.

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

Breach of confidence! And if the death toll goes up among the allies, murder!

Well... it sounds so undemoctratic ... The presence of Prince Harry may not significantly contribute to a death toll among allied troops.

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

Well... it sounds so undemoctratic ...

Freedom of speech? The right to express your feelings without the need to fear for repercussions? Quite the democratic thing, IMHO.

As for the media having the right to publish everything they want in a democracy, that is not the case. All democratic countries have laws about the rights of the media and while these are protected (here in Germany even as constitutional rights in our constitution) there are rules which have to be obeyed and rules which any serious journalist will obey because it's the right thing to do.

IMHO the world would have survived without knowing where prince Harry has spent these last weeks. While it is a newsworthy information, it is not a necessary information. So the publishers should have weighted the consequences for the prince and his fellow soldiers against the world's right of information and decided to keep quiet. As most did till the news actually broke. Skydragon is right: those who published that information sit comfortably and peaceful at home while others are facing the consequences. Shame on them!

But IMHO the RF should have discouraged Harry from becoming a soldier in this day and age - he can't be like anyone else and the consequences are dire for all concerned.

[Empress]

Originally Posted by Jo of Palatine

Freedom of speech? The right to express your feelings without the need to fear for repercussions? Quite the democratic thing, IMHO.

As for the media having the right to publish everything they want in a democracy, that is not the case. All democratic countries have laws about the rights of the media and while these are protected (here in Germany even as constitutional rights in our constitution) there are rules which have to be obeyed and rules which any serious journalist will obey because it's the right thing to do.

IMHO the world would have survived without knowing where prince Harry has spent these last weeks. While it is a newsworthy information, it is not a necessary information. So the publishers should have weighted the consequences for the prince and his fellow soldiers against the world's right of information and decided to keep quiet. As most did till the news actually broke. Skydragon is right: those who published that information sit comfortably and peaceful at home while others are facing the consequences. Shame on them!

But IMHO the RF should have discouraged Harry from becoming a soldier in this day and age - he can't be like anyone else and the consequences are dire for all concerned.

I don't think that they should have discouraged him. If that is something tha the really wanted to do, then I think that he should have the right to do it, just like any other free citizen. And he is fighting for the freedom of others, which I think is oddly poetic. Despite being a Prince, he still has all of the rights as any normal free citizen.

Furthermore, it's a tradition in his family, and perhaps he holds those traditions in high regard? He seems suited to a military life. He seems happy, and he has a right to be happy and to have a career of his choice.

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

Do you think it was such a secret on the spot, though? I mean, presumably other soldiers and any local people associated with the army will already know, and presumably if the Taliban spies are any good, they also already know. The main difference is that we know too now. I hope they don't decide to bring him back to the UK now - the press already has too much influence over what happens with the royal family, and that would just confirm the idea that the press calls the shots where the royals are concerned.

You are absolutely right. I am sure that the Taliban has learnt about Prince Harry’s presence from the local intelligence sources, but not from the Drudge Report.

Originally Posted by Jo of Palatine

Freedom of speech? The right to express your feelings without the need to fear for repercussions? Quite the democratic thing, IMHO.

As for the media having the right to publish everything they want in a democracy, that is not the case. All democratic countries have laws about the rights of the media and while these are protected (here in Germany even as constitutional rights in our constitution) there are rules which have to be obeyed and rules which any serious journalist will obey because it's the right thing to do.

IMHO the world would have survived without knowing where prince Harry has spent these last weeks. While it is a newsworthy information, it is not a necessary information. So the publishers should have weighted the consequences for the prince and his fellow soldiers against the world's right of information and decided to keep quiet. As most did till the news actually broke. Skydragon is right: those who published that information sit comfortably and peaceful at home while others are facing the consequences. Shame on them!
[shortened]

This is an imperfect world with rules and laws that can be creatively interpreted. So the stable European democracies and monarchies should reap both positive and negative consequences of the freedom of press. I believe that editors should have weighed the consequences for usual soldiers, but for protected Prince Harry. I doubt very much if Prince Harry would have put in any real danger.

[kimebear]

Freedom of the press should not provide immunity against a blatent disregard for human life. Every soldier in Afghanistan is at risk every day, but with such a tempting target as the grandson of the Queen, enemy forces are, of course, going to pursue his whereabouts with determination. There will be a snowball effect now. Resources will have to be used to protect Harry's whereabouts, interfering with his ability to do his job and compromising the safety of all the troops.

Harry was doing his job. This ridiculous breach of confidentiality endangers too many lives to be written off as "in the public's best interest to know" mentality.

[Mermaid1962]

I agree completely, Skydragon. When the news came out today about the lead through the Drudge Report, I was quite bothered by it. The media shouldn't have this kind of power.

Originally Posted by Skydragon

What a disgrace this 'newspaper' is, to break the news. Shameful, they should be prosecuted!!!!!!!!


They normally stay for 4-6 months and he was NOT due to return soon!
The interview was given, on a good faith basis, one the Australian, German & US 'journalists' broke.
It was supposed to stay quiet until he was home, but the journalists were allowed to get their 'war photos' in preparation for the release of the story. All the other media outlets had kept to the agreement, just these '******' releasing details and now all hell will break loose. Not only in the media but every allied unit, every soldier in Afghanistan is now at greater risk!

[Little_star]

I'm glad to hear that Harry was able to fulfil his wish of fighting in Afghanistan.

However I am absolutely disgusted with the media for reporting this. They should be ashamed of themselves.

[sirhon11234]

The media has put Harry and his fellow soldier's life in danger for reporting this.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by sirhon11234

The media has put Harry and his fellow soldier's life in danger for reporting this.

Not just Harry, they have put every allied soldier in danger, no matter what country they are from - I now know what it means to be 'incandescent with rage'.

[tinkerbell1948]

And I'm ashamed to say one of our tacky women's magazines that comes out weekly broke the story here in Australia, just reinforces to me why I never buy it , hope they get hauled over the coals well and truly for this

[crm2317]

Firstly- Shame on the website who reported this. Now he and his colleagues are in even more danger!

Secondly- I wish him the best and the most safety for his whole team

[Elspeth]

Originally Posted by sirhon11234

The media has put Harry and his fellow soldier's life in danger for reporting this.

But it's increased their profits. And if he gets killed or kidnapped as a result, it'll increase their profits some more. From their point of view, it's a win-win situation.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

But it's increased their profits. And if he gets killed or kidnapped as a result, it'll increase their profits some more. From their point of view, it's a win-win situation.

If anything happens to Harry or any of the troops because of the leak, lets hope the public do a 'Diana' and demonstrate in the streets wherever this Drudge person lives.
----------- ------------------
Britain is reviewing Prince Harry's presence in Afghanistan, where he has been deployed with the army for 2-1/2 months, following leaks in the international media that he was deployed there, the Defence Ministry said.

Britain reviews Prince Harry's Afghanistan role - Yahoo! News

[Polly]

The news of the Princes' deployment and service in Afghanistan has been in the public domain in Australia for nearly 2 months! I most certainly was shown the magazine article, in New Idea, stating that he'd spent Christmas in the war zone, early in January, and another article in the same magazine the following week. The second article stated that Harry threatened to resign his commission and enlist as a private if he was continually thwarted, and also claimed that his father was the most reluctant to let him go.

Ergo, since January 7th, the Taliban has known that the Prince was in their territory. Harry's presence in Afghanistan is, thus, not news to them.

New Idea is the magazine which first published the tapped conversation between Prince Charles and the then Mrs Parker Bowles, i.e. 'Camillagate', one of the most despicable and shameful breaches of privacy which I've ever encountered. From memory, this was published in January, too.

There is informed opinion here which believes that this is a specific route which sections of the UK press follows when it wishes to break a story or countermand an embargo. As many Australians party, more or less, from the first Tuesday in November (Melbourne Cup - of huge national interest and a public holiday in Melbourne) through December and January, until Australia Day (26th January) and are more concerned with surf, sand and sun, and cricket, and barbeques, and generally enjoying the good life which Australia offers, little attention is usually given to major news stories, particularly those appearing in gossip rags. It does mean, however, that something which might be proscribed in another country can then be openly discussed in those places, i.e. 'In Australia, it's been reported that....'

A few things, here. First, there is no compunction on the media of any foreign country to adhere to any ban or blackout imposed by the British Defence Forces. This, of course, is a quite separate issue from the ethics of anyone from anywhere breaking an embargo, particularly on such a sensitive issue.

I'd also like to know who, in the UK, betrayed the confidence reposed in them. He or she is certainly guilty of culpable betrayal. Was he or she amply rewarded, financially? Was it someone from the Palace (as I seem to recall that New Idea inferred) or one of Harry's friends who disclosed this secret (New Idea reported on a big farewell party for Harry at a nightclub - Bujis)? Or was it, as many in the media believe, simply a Fleet Street stratagem, following a tried and erstwhile true course?

One aspect has been widely discussed here: that the media-interests in the UK which were disappointed that the local press didn't respond to the 'Harry story from Australia' after all, drew Matt Drudge's attention to it, knowing that Drudge would only be interested in 'breaking news' and have no obligation, whatsoever, to British interests. On the other hand, I can well imagine that many Americans would be quite proud and pleased to know that a scion of one of their eminent and notable families was 'doing his duty' with the ordinary joes in the army. And, after all, the US has troops in Afghanistan, as for that matter, does Australia. So, trying to think of any possible positive spin in this matter, given that the enemy already had the information about Harry's presence, could it have been a well-meaning but ill-conceived idea to boost the morale of the Allied troops, given that the war has become so intransigent, difficult, and, according to some vociferous critics, ultimately unwinnable?

As a matter of interest: when I first read the two stories, I checked out the magazine on the net. It was gratifying to read that a large number of readers had recorded their anger and annoyance with New Idea on its website, chiding it for endangering the prince and his cohort and denouncing its utter irresponsibility. The pages, still up earlier today, seem to have been, as a consequence of the outcry, removed. Drudge also has removed any reference to New Idea from his website, as well, claiming it as his 'scoop'. I'm quite happy for him to do so, especially as I truly believe that the whole was a deliberate and contrived, cynical exercise.

[zembla]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

But it's increased their profits. And if he gets killed or kidnapped as a result, it'll increase their profits some more. From their point of view, it's a win-win situation.

I know...this is pretty unfortunate.

[sirhon11234]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

But it's increased their profits. And if he gets killed or kidnapped as a result, it'll increase their profits some more. From their point of view, it's a win-win situation.

Well then, this is a good example of how money truly is the root of all evil.

[acdc1]

I'm disappointed that they leaked the story while he's still there, because I'm afraid that it might put him or others in danger. But I'm glad he's there, I think he's always wanted to go, and it's just a good thing to do.

[Empress]

Originally Posted by zembla

I can't believe Matt Drudge was the one to break this story! That's a shocker...why leak it to him now...supposedly many editors knew about this but kept mum. Why now...that's the question...

In fact it was not Matt Drudge who broke the story, but a German publication.

Originally Posted by karla64

new pix

Abaca Press Americas Search Results

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ng_800x589.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ew_468x619.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ry_800x581.jpg

Having a brother who has served in Iraq, and who is on his way to Afghanistan as we speak, these are some seriously evocative photos. Evocative in that, I am incredibly proud of my brother, and I am incredibly proud of Harry. These photos show that he is just another soldier doing his duty.

I can't explain it, but these photos, and especially the second one, just tug at my heart. It a heart wrenching photo simply because you know that he must be exhausted, terrified and proud and it all shows in that one picture. Its heartwrencching becuase it all shows, and yet he has a gun in clear view. It proves that no matter how he feels, he's there to do what he must and protect himself, his troops, and the idea of democracy.

Forget the media. They are useless. Instead, let's put out energy into doing whatever it is you do to wish these men and women the best. Be it that you pray, fast, cry or anything else, the best thing that we can do is support these men and women. The war that they are fighting might not be a popular one, but they are fighting a war none the less, and Harry is right there in the thick of it, trying to ensure democracy in a place that might very well not be ready for it, and the thanks that they all get is to be ridiculed and abandoned by the worlds media? Forget them, and focus on the people who can use our support.