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FEATURES
However, what he has done to change the lives of countless Iraqi people is the very definition of heroism. Humphreys' job is to teach freedom. In Iraq, freedom of the press is a practice that must be learned. “It’s a new concept,” Humpreys explained. “That’s the reason I love it so much. It really is nation-building.” He tried to emphasize to the fledgling media staff the need for leadership in their country. “I use the analogy of our own country,” he related. “Two hundred years ago, it wasn’t our nation’s military prowess that won our independence. It was our orators. It was people like Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson working with the press that stood up and got the nation behind the independence movement. I tell them that they have that kind of power to do the same thing in Iraq. You’ve got to seize that power. You can’t look to Baghdad to make your decisions.” Some are experienced reporters, but others are new to the field. Working independently is new to them all. “They’re not experienced at the level of our Western media, but they’re learning,” he said. Western media is comfortable with their role as an independent watchdog, Humphreys explained. They do not work for any external agency, and for a reason. A free press is vital to a free society. This is why the Iraqi media must adapt to the concept of fearless reporting. If the press is in any way under the control of an outside force, especially the government itself, it is without relevance. However, being a reporter in Iraq can get you or your family abducted, tortured; even killed. “They’ve got a price on their head,” Humphreys said. “I’ve seen it happen on numerous occasions.” He related the story of an independent freelance reporter. He was aggressive, and fearless in his pursuit of the news, and he drew the ire of extremists who didn’t like what they heard. Eventually, the reporter’s house and car were firebombed and destroyed. Rather than giving up, the reporter simply moved, continuing his work. “It’s those kind of guys that we’re looking for,” Humphreys said. Working with the media in Iraq means going out in full military armor, very much on the front line, accepting the risks involved. Humphrey’s decorations include the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Sapper Tab. He’s been a Public Information Officer since March 2005. He’s served in the Army since 1989. In Iraq, he works to develop a media infrastructure, setting up the technology to circulate information, and coaching media on how to report the news. Then there’s the other side of the coin; teaching the government how to relate to a free and independent media. “They’re used to telling media what to report,” Humphreys said. “I have to explain, that’s not what it’s about. If media works for the government, they don’t have credibility. You can’t be a government watchdog if you’re a government-owned organization.” Unfortunately, this is not a power extremists are eager to give up. Of all the dangerous occupations in Iraq, working in the news is one of the most deadly. According to the International Federation of Journalists, over 1,200 journalists and support staff have been killed in the line of duty in the past 10 years. A study by Beth Howe of Kennedy School of Government at Harvard found the job of being an American foreign reporter has a higher per capita fatality rate than timber cutters, fishermen or pilots. Upon his return to the States, Humphreys heard rumors about radio stations being blown up. Concerned, he contacted his successor at the Independent Radio, Television Network in Diyala. He was relieved to hear the station is flourishing. They have a website, and they’re selling coffee mugs and T-Shirts to raise funds. Humphreys expects to return to Iraq some time around the end of the year. Any hesitation does not occur to him. “I’m looking forward to another deployment,” he said. “I love my job.” The Independent Radio, Television Network station can be visited at http://www.irtniraq.com/
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