Media

U.S. Journalist Killed in Libya

A doctor in the besieged city of Misrata says a Western photographer has been killed and another seriously wounded while covering battles between rebels and Libyan government forces.

According to Fox News, the deceased photographer is Tim Hetherington, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for his documentary “Restrepo,” a film about US troops in Afghanistan.

The doctor says two other journalists were injured Wednesday inside the only opposition-held city in western Libya, which has come under weeks of relentless shelling by government troops. The doctor works at a private clinic where the dead and wounded were brought. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of fears of government reprisals.

HuffPo reports there has been conflicting information about the status of another photographer who was with Hetherington during the mortar attack:

One of the three photographers, Chris Hondros, was initially reported to have died. Liohn wrote on his wall soon after initially reporting Hetherington’s death, “Chris Hondros died now.” Later reports said that he was in gravely critical condition, having suffered a serious brain injury. However, other journalists tweeted that he had, in fact, passed away.

In the last available message on Hetherington’s Twitter account, he described a chaotic scene in Misrata:

U.S. Journalist Killed in LibyaHetherington was a contributing photographer for Vanity Fair.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (69)

1 2
  • Richard Compton
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 4:02pm

    May he rest in peace, may his family be loved and cared for. War journalism is dangerous work, and as sad as this is, it is a wonder it doesn’t happen more often. Journalists are at the forefront of the battles and are as likely as anyone in this situation to be wounded or killed, keep that in mind the next time your watching the evening news with war footage.

    Report Post »  
  • momprayn
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:55pm

    Yes, my condolences & prayers for his family……but I also agree with those that say they know what kind of danger they face when going there & this was their wish to do it anyway. Just like our voluntary military. It seems many media types are liberals and they are passionately anti-war and they seem to think that if they photograph/write about this horrible stuff, it’ll help people “wake up” and somehow there won’t be war anymore or something. That is sadly not true & unrealistic. Maybe they think it’ll motivate people to vote against Repubs. (who they think are the war mongers) more or whatever. But sadly, it doesn’t make any difference. Most people know war is more than horrendous. My family and I don’t need to see it reported & would rather not. I got enough of that with the Vietnam war. It doesn’t change minds…..the ones that are “for” it, think it’s for noble, necessary reasons & most don’t change their mind by just seeing it or reading about it. But whatever a profession a person chooses, he thinks it’s a very important job and therefore they think it will make a difference.
    It reminds me of those female journalists who got raped, attacked in Egypt. In my opinion, a very unnecessary, foolish thing to do to go to these places…and easily avoidable. We didn’t need to see someone there to report on it.
    I do hope though that most of the Repubs. will go along with Rand and Ron Paul’s ideas about not getting into these kind of unwinnable, stupid wars in these Muslim countries — and trying to “nation build”. I agree we need to get out of these wars – it’s not helping us with terrorism. We’re stretched dangerously thin now & ripe for our enemies to attack US.

    Report Post »  
  • concealled9mms
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:46pm

    way to go obamma you wonderful nobel peace prize winner you

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:36pm

    What do you want to bet that GOD called him HOME because he is one of HIS kids?

    Report Post »  
  • Netsurfer2
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:24pm

    Sometimes I wonder, why would you want a job that endangers your life? I am only speaking from a perspective of my own view.

    I say we rid out dependency of oil completely from them and jack our food up in price that we send to them to supplement our costs of drilling our own oil. Funding them is ridiculous in every way! I’m sick of my tax dollars going for their radical ideas, when we have over 100 years of oil beneath us and by then we will have figured it out not to need it any more. Where is the practical thinking with our president??? We will just go deeper if we don’t get with making the most of our own resources.

    REMEMBER TO VOTE (HAD ENOUGH???)

    Report Post » Netsurfer2  
  • cruzinbill
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:21pm

    Why don’t we send Obummer and the intire dummycrat commie party their as boots on the ground.I would like to see how long they would last with their new rebal friends.

    Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:21pm

    I saw ‘Restrepo”…he did an excellent job on that film.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:09pm

    Help me, I’m being held captive by a Jesuit! He’s making me confess!

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • TaterSalad
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:07pm

    Here is what our President and Secretary of State are “supporting” in Libya. The so-called rebels or radical Islamists, are barbarians and the same as Al-Qaeda. Our tax dollars are supporting this through NATO and air strikes and the President is now re-thinking about placing “boots” on the ground in Libya.

    Video – graphic and barbaric.

    http://uruknet.de/?p=m76906

    http://www.news24.com/World/News/US-to-give-Libyan-rebels-non-lethal-aid-20110420

    Report Post »  
  • pork eating crusader
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:07pm

    Rest in Peace my Brother. Pray for his soul and family.

    Report Post » pork eating crusader  
  • Drum Man
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:06pm

    His blood is on Obamas hands.

    Report Post » Drum Man  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:15pm

      There would be journalists in Libya with or without U.S. participation. If one U.S. serviceman dies following Obama’s misguided orders to intercede, it’s on him and I doubt he would even lose any sleep over it.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • deadbeatjoe
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:05pm

    Reporters think they have some special immunity in warzones. They go by choice. I don‘t care nearly as much about some reporter’s voluntary death as that of a soldier’s death – any soldier.

    Report Post » deadbeatjoe  
  • Its Gonna Getcha
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:05pm

    When I saw “Restrepo” on cable a while back, I was telling everybody to watch it, even people who were in war. To now learn the creator’s name is Tim Hetherington, that he was nominated for an Oscar for “Restrepo”, but has been killed in Libya is a horrible feeling. Sympathies as well for the other journalists involved. You just know they were there to get some truth on film. A great great loss. May his spirit promote a hard straight line towards the truth

    Report Post » Its Gonna Getcha  
  • nappy
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:04pm

    So.. a bunch of women coax the young President to go into Libya.
    He decides, like Clinton did, that we can do it remotely.
    That doesn’t work
    He dumps it on NATO
    Like re-creating VietNam in 1 month.
    And now a damn good photographer is shot pretty soon after pointing out that NATO is nowhere to be seen.

    OK. Fine.

    Actually, restrepo WAS a film that depended on moral judgment to make its case. IT was subtle, but it was there by the very definition of the choices they made in shooting and editing.

    I don’t think Americans really NEED daily coverage of libya. It seems to be going the same way ANY war goes when you don’t have your heart in it.

    Report Post »  
  • johnny blaze
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:03pm

    Its a warzone dont put youself in that spot. Thats like getting into to a cage with a lion and getting eating.

    Report Post »  
  • Pedro Gonzalez
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:02pm

    ………No doubt about it that Jesuits have a lot of power and influence. There were a lot of Jesuits in Hitler’s SS and other places in the military and government. Jesuits, and other “one world” ideologues, are a dangerous thing. Some countries do not even allow then in the country. Muslims and Jesuits should be expelled…..as they both are a danger. We’ll learn some day…..after the severe damage is done.

    Report Post » Pedro Gonzalez  
  • ED4237
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:57pm

    This is bad for the family of the camera man. This also what happens during war people die that are there trying to tell the story of what is really going on.

    Report Post »  
    • starman70
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:10pm

      Unfortunately, we only get what the liberal media wants us to know.

      Pray for this man’s family,

      Report Post »  
    • taebaggranny
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 4:09pm

      @ ED4237 I liked the comment “WHEN BOTH SIDES ARE USING LIVE AMMO.” What did they expect? Spitballs? My heartfelt prayers go out to the families of these men..

      Report Post »  
  • Pedro Gonzalez
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:56pm

    …………Semantics Correction……It should be “reporter” who reports on the story. A “journalist” writes about himself and he is the story. Most all Left-Wing talking heads, they are the story. It’s a liberal ego thing.

    Report Post » Pedro Gonzalez  
  • Kris
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:52pm

    Wikipedia says he is from Liverpool, England. I am confused.

    Report Post »  
  • Shellback
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:51pm

    Heck of a way to make some money.

    Report Post » Shellback  
  • PACMAN55
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:48pm

    And now it begins..

    Report Post » PACMAN55  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:19pm

      YES PAC
      It has begun and OBAMA owns THIS WAR
      Let the Lefty Loonies spin this anyway they want
      BHO has this war on HIS watch (and hands)

      Report Post »  
  • OBAMABLOWS
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:48pm

    Mess with the bull, you get the horns.
    This is why we come up with goofy names for this stuff.

    Gotta go smoke

    Report Post » OBAMABLOWS  
  • conversationcanwork
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:46pm

    Great Quote from Him:
    I look at the film and think we made an apolitical film. But in some ways, we’ve also made a film without a moral judgment. For a lot of journalists, that’s hard to do. The funny thing about war is that people feel you need to be morally outraged. I feel morally outraged about it, and I’ve been doing it for long enough to feel morally outraged, because I have been in massacre scenes in West Africa, and I’ve been doing this for a long time now. So I don’t need to have my credentials and go up on the stage and say “Feel moral outrage about the war.” I’m trying to communicate to you what’s going on in the war, and moral outrage really just gets in the way. If you say to an audience, “Who here feels there shouldn’t be war?” I can guarantee everyone would put their hand up, but that doesn’t mean you’re any wiser about why the war’s happening, or what it’s like to be in the war. There are more important things we have to communicate, rather than have the consensus of “Oh, we’re journalists, and we think this is bad.”

    Report Post » LiberalMarine  
  • Marylou7
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:45pm

    This is so sad BUT we have no business there. Please GET OUT.

    Report Post » Marylou7  
    • robin.kevin
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:48pm

      They know the risks when they go over to those war torn countries to make a name for themselves. My prayers are with his family and love ones.

      Report Post » robin.kevin  
    • Gates
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:49pm

      “This is so sad BUT we have no business there. Please GET OUT.”

      And guarantee an Iranian takeover? Frying pan into the fire scenario for sure. Nope, it’s better and cheaper to stay unless we are willing to confront Iran.

      Report Post »  
    • sleazyhippo
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:51pm

      These were artists and photo journalists – who taught us so much in the Visual Arts – we must be respectful to the Community and profession, they give so much and are so patriotic. Like Steve Austin.

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:56pm

      i am with you Mary Lou….
      until this is confirmed….trust but verify….
      if it is confirmed…i feel for the families involved…

      but as Mary Lou said… WE DON’T BELONG THERE…our military, our press, nobody would be there if this made up crisis wasn’t being orchestraed….

      you watch.. the UK just sent “advisors” to help train the rebels..something they said they would not do at first…

      now…US press are killed…hmm…what could the US Obama response be….FULL MILITARY invasion to RESCUE all US personel still TRAPPED and HELD inside Libya by Qaddafi…

      this smells like an orchestraed incident to get the US to commit troops….

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • Dale
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:08pm

      Gates;

      “This is so sad BUT we have no business there. Please GET OUT.”
      *******************************************************************************
      “And guarantee an Iranian takeover? Frying pan into the fire scenario for sure. Nope, it’s better and cheaper to stay unless we are willing to confront Iran.”
      *******************************************************************************

      I think not. We have ABSOLUTELY no business there! We should get OUT NOW. I didn’t believe (didn’t even think) that we are a imperialist country. If are not in Afganistan to win (by any means) we should withdraw. We need to expend our resources in developing this country – energy, stop illegal aliens from invading us, and build a vibrant and viable economy. Things we can’t do in the Middle east. Our only interests there should be defending Israel.

      Report Post » Dale  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:18pm

      Sorry for his loss .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:45pm

    Very sad, indeed. Many prayers to the family.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:47pm

      God help his family and comfort them in this time of loss they are going through.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • sleazyhippo
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:49pm

      Mz. B, and the ankle biters: Please be respectful, please stop being so mean just in this thread.

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • My Hero-Allen West-click my name
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:52pm

      Sorry to hear this. The “Restrepo,” story was excellent. When one puts themselves in harms way this can happen. May he rest in peace and I pray for his loved ones. Also prayers for the injured partner as well.

      Report Post » My Hero-Allen West-click my name  
    • 3
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:53pm

      We have no Beeswax being there and bombing those people. If Iraq was wrong this is a Crime.

      Report Post »  
    • Obama Bin Lying
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 2:58pm

      Very sad that such a talent was lost. For those who have not seen Restrepo, watch it. It was an amazing show

      Report Post » Obama Bin Lying  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:01pm

      My thoughts and prayers as well, thank you for posting as you did.

      “he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.”

      Report Post »  
    • mrsmileyface
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:04pm

      Dont worry NBC and MSNBC will get to the bottom of this after they watch Al Jezeera.

      Report Post » mrsmileyface  
    • SavingtheRepublic.com
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:12pm

      Yes it is, but journalists know they are putting their lives at risk going into a warzone. Personally if I was a journalist I would not go to this region the ppl there are barbaric, embrace death and will kill anyone… esp privileged WHITE (american looking) journalists!!!

      Report Post » SavingtheRepublic.com  
    • Showtime
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:14pm

      Yes, and BRING OUR TROOPS HOME!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • BIGJAYINPA
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:14pm

      Our prayers and condolences go out to this mans family and friends. It is unfortunate but when you go to the front lines to report and both sides are using live ammuniton these things do occasionally happen. If you were able to ask him I belive he would say it was a chance he took to do the job he loved.

      Report Post » BIGJAYINPA  
    • its_time_to_arrest_our_government
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:24pm

      obama should be held and charged in his death and the deaths of countless others

      Report Post »  
    • LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:29pm

      …………..†…r.i.p….†……..

      Report Post »  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:30pm

      This is so sad.. my prayers are for the families of both men..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • Mike Westfall No Hiding
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 3:37pm

      Idiot. Venture at your own risk. It’s his fault that he left family behind. That’s what life insurance is for.

      Mike Westfall No Hiding  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 4:00pm

      @Mike Westfall No Hiding

      That was his job. To go into war zones and get the story. Blame his superiors and the killers.
      Pray for his family.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Mike Westfall No Hiding
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 4:26pm

      @Anonymous T. Irrelevant

      He wasn’t forced to go into the area. It is blatant disregard of common sense to be undefended in a civil war zone. He could have chosen an different area to report but I just can’t seem to think he was coerced by his employers to be in Libya. Where was his family asking/pleading with him not to go? We need to start accepting that idiots make bad decisions and stop making excuses. Would you be there right now? I know I wouldn’t.

      Report Post » Mike Westfall No Hiding  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 4:53pm

      Like his last tweet stated “No sign of NATO”. The U.N. and NATO are a joke. What are these journalists doing over there with no Military presence? Following around a bunch of armed, unorganized rebels is not the best call anyone can make. I heard on the news an hour ago that Hillary is sending 25 million in non-combat equipment to the rebels. Who the heck is she to be making the call to send ANY equipment. Did she pay for that 25 million in equipment to be able to send it to a NON-WAR zone? Talk about corruption in this Regime!!!!!

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on April 20, 2011 at 7:38pm

      ……
      You’re waiting for NATO?
      Ha, ha ,ha, ha, You may as well be waiting for the UN to save your a$$.
      Maybe you scumbags should have appreciated the US soldiers who died for you.
      No more.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
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