Shrewsbury Chronicle journalist James Holt has
reported how he came under fire ten times during a press trip to
Iraq.
James was entrenched with troops in Basra as part of a six-day
press visit to the area.
During his time there, he learned of the deaths of two British
soldiers based locally at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, before the
news broke in the UK.
James said: “I was in Iraq for six days in total, flying
in and out of Basra with a three day visit in Abu Naji. I undertook
the organisation of the trip myself, with the help of my local MoD
press officer. The MoD were fantastic and it surprised me how
accommodating they were.
“Going to Iraq was an incredible opportunity and a great
experience, especially for a regional journalist. The MoD provided
a line of willing interviewees from my area. The guys out there
want to get their message home and the regional press is the best
way for that.”
Reporting for
both the
Chronicle and sister newspaper, the
S
hropshire Star, James told of his experiences
with the troops, witnessing their work first hand.
James said: “I was very impressed with how the MoD press
officers worked with me after the road-side bomb on Saturday night.
I still had 24 hours in the country, and there was a strict embargo
on the information, yet instead of keeping it quiet, which they
could have easily done, they were very open and lined me up with an
exclusive interview that not only was important to the national
story but of local importance.
To add a story about your newspaper to the Newspaper Society’s
showcase of editorial excellence, please contact Arthur De Val on
020 7632 7426
arthur_deval@newspapesoc.org.uk.
The Newspaper Society, the voice of Britain's regional
and local press, represents around 1,300 daily and weekly, paid-for
and free, newspaper titles in the UK.
The Newspaper Society is a member of UK Publishing
Media: a £18 billion alliance of newspapers, magazines and books,
which collectively represent one of the largest investors in the
rapidly expanding information society.