Embedded journalists to head for frontline

Reporters will soon join soldiers on the frontline in real-life battles as the South African Army considers the controversial practice of embedded journalism.

Yesterday, SA Army chief Lieutenant-General Vusi Masondo said embedded journalism was something the army wanted to do.

"It's crucial for us to embed the media because when we speak for ourselves there are doubting voices," Masondo said.

He cited a 2013 incident in which 13 SA National Defence Force soldiers were killed in the Central African Republic (CAR) in what became known as the Battle of Bangui. According to Masondo, in the aftermath of the CAR incident there was no independent voice to confirm the casualties.

He said embedded journalism would see the media integrating with the army in real-time battles.

Masondo said the move to embed journalists would start with exercises like Exercise Young Eagle, whose open day was held yesterday at Lohatla in the Northern Cape, and would culminate in the media accompanying soldiers on deployments.

However, he warned that embedded journalism would be dangerous but promised that his men and women would protect journalists.

The practice of armed forces bringing journalists to the frontline was started when US journalists joined that country's soldiers during the invasion of Iraq, which eventually toppled its leader, Saddam Hussein.

Exercise Young Eagle was in preparation for the interim African Capacity for Immediate Response in Crises. Masondo said this was a stopgap measure in preparation for the African Standby Force, a force which will intervene in crises. - sidimbal@sowetan.co.za