Brian, I think that you are an amazing news reporter! I can see the risks people like Richard Engel take every single day! I commend you efforts, and everyone elses at NBC News... as I aspire to become someone like you when I grow up! I am only 14 years old, yet I can see that I want to report to America, everyday, what you do. I watch Nightly News almost every night, and look at what you do, and see an excellent reporter!!

I was totally disgusted with what I saw on the evening news [ 6:30P.M. ] covering Mrs Kings' funeral. Jimmy Carter and others needs to be sent to school and taught what is an appropriate subject to be spoken at a funeral. Never in all my adult life have I seen such total disregard and disrespect for the President and the office he holds. I also blame the media for allow this kind of trash to make the air waves. That portion could have found its way to the cutting floor.
Respectfully,
Robert Ford

One of the greatest news reports I have ever witnessed happened 2 days after Katrina, with Brian Williams at the Superdome. We all know what happened. I would personally like to thank Brian and NBC for being there and conveying the true emotion and human condition as it happened. It was a deplorable situation, and Mr. Williams did an amazing job not only reporting on the facts of the situation, but by putting his own emotion into the story he brought a true human element. That can not be achieved by sitting in a studio. Thank you to all of the reporters, producers and support staff who choose to put themselves at risk to bring the world important stories in the news.

All wars have been covered by reports. Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, ect. Reporters are there to do a job and tell a story and for this to be done there needs to be reporters there getting the true story. Part of being an American is having access to news reports, not something scripted by a dictator. I applaud the work of the reporters along with all the other americans serving abroad. Military and Non-Military!!

For the person who mentioned that people have gone into the military to get an education not expecting to go to war....then I am sorry for you. That is like saying you have selected medicane as a career not expecting to see death. Every job has it's risk ...some much more than others.

Also for the gentleman talking about his family and bearing the pain of loss. Well, we all loose someone or something dear to us. It is a fact of life. If you are teaching your children to grow up without caring for anyone or having them care about anyone then you are teaching them to not be humain and compassionate. One for all and all for One is a lonely way to live.

Finally, Mr Williams you and your colleagues are doing a job that you made a choice to do. Not a job assigned to you by a harsh ruling government. Your passion for your work is evident. As Americans it would be great if we were all able to choice a job which we love and are passionate about.

Wow, think ya hit a bone Brian. Tremendous response. I whole heartedly concurr that more should be done immediately. Reopening global bereaus needs to be addressed. I also agree that there is no way to convey properly the stories that demand our attention and respect except from the scene. It is a discusssion of class is it not? The how not the why. Its the commercialization of the important stories that can be left to the tabloids. Sometimes messages in a bottle do reach their destination.

VI'm a vet from world war 2nd.Altho I spent the war at sea,in the coast guard and the merchant marine,if it wasn't for all journalist embedded with the troops we would not know ehat was going on.One man stands outin my mind ERNIE PYLE,one hell of an example,my thanks to all of you. FRANK J> LAVALLEE

Reading your blog about traveleing correspondents, it sounds as if it is dangerous, however; my feeling is that as a relative once commented that our numbers are going to come up sometime. What this means is that we are all going to die, the question is, when? Anyway, my dream was to become a chaplin at the U.S. Air Force Academy, travel the world, write for the military papers - in the aspect that it does not matter what beliefs a person has - but wherever a person worships - they have some type of paper either sent to them or receive them when they leave their house of worship. Anyway; that I could have done without any problem. Also, it would have been enjoyable, fun, exciting to teach at the military schools, the military on the battlefields and even civilians as to what they would possibly encounter when they are assigned, sent or vacation in another part of the world. Through your reports at various times, you have pointed that a lot of the young guys and gals that are sent to these foreign lands do not have the education in the aspect of these peoples religious beliefs, cultures, etc. I have a degree in Written Communication from a school in St. Louis, MO. However; I really haven't had the opportunity to use this degree - to be honest - this was my second choice of careers - as my first choice I am a hybrid when it comes to theology so I find it interesting to study religion - all types - no matter what and philosophy - cultures of people of the world. Therefore, from the reporters who travel the world, I get the feeling of being with them - on a mission - a dangerous mission that is fulfilling to the mind and soul. As a relative once said, when your numbers come, it is your time to go. To make my point, wouldn't it be better to have your numbers come this way than to live a dull life - as some people do - as my life is at the moment, however; that will be different - at the current time, I can't say exactly when, I plan to have somewhat of a different lifestyle. Anyway; whether I had had the opportunity with my written communication degree or as a military person with theology as my career or just a traveler in foreign lands, I would have been first in line to sign for a mission like your correspondents out in the field. We are all going to die. Therefore; these correspondents - they deserve to have a huge round of applause for their lifestyle. As for their families, when the people are married, live together, etc. The two people entering the relationship should know the careers, ambitions of their partners. If they have children and then they can decide to contnue with their chosen lifestyle. It is between the families to decide - each family has to make their own decision. Watching the news - the nightly news - the reporters in the field are living out a mission that they have chosen at the chosen time, perhaps later that will be different or perhaps they might decide that it is not for them. At the moment - the citizens of the world need these people to inform them as to events from the war and so on and so forth.

Yes Brian, you define the very reason for 'why' 'Anchors' are required to take their job outside the studio. I agree. Reporters/Anchors need to be where the news are being made.
That being said, Anchors and correspondents need to ask the questions that define the who, what, when, where and why of the situation and then report the news; not editorialize, nor 'spin', nor slant, certainly not hide the facts.
The "Fourth Estate" has an ethical problem, has a commercial problem, has a 'truthiness' problem AND certainly is part of the rancor and general divisive nature of the political debate dividing our country today. Too many 'journalists anchors' are merely overpaid hacks of a media empire controlled by either owners or governing boards with political agendas that they want the party in power to further in return for donations, coverage or slanted coverage; do the names Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Bob Woodruff, Tim Russet, Chris Mathews, Judith Miller
and Bob Novak bring up images?
IMHO, the role of the Anchor/Editor of a nationally syndicated 'News' program has the ethical and moral responsibility to "Get It Right", to get the truth out to their viewers. It is not enough to bring back recollections of the landscape or the people for color, the Anchor has to bring the news into focus and spotlight the issue by factual reporting and let the viewers make their "informed" decision based on real information rather than "sound bytes" or political spin or patronage.

With everything that is going on in the world today, journalists are needed more than ever to keep us informed with honest and accurate reporting.
Many of our soldiers in Iraq never "volunteered" for this job. They joined the service for a variety of reasons (such as education) and ended up fighting a war they never anticipated. Our soldiers are doing a difficult, dangerous job with great bravery and courage. They need our support. And, We need fair, accurate reporting on what is happening in Iraq.

Dear Mr. Williams,

Why don't people understand? You can't hunt deer from the lodge! It couldn't be more simple. Don't stay behind the desk.

Every reporter who steps foot on the same ground with U.S. soldiers, puts everyone of them in danger. If your reports would make the news nightly and really report the TRUTH, then maybe it is appropriate, but as the wife of a U.S. soldier who is currently serving in Iraq, I know the truth is not being told on a regular basis. Every time a new reporter arrives, some soldier is now distracted from their job to help keep them safe. I am not sure that is in their job description.

I understand people who say journalists should "just report the news" without going to the war zone. If you're not their to witness the events, then how can you tell the story?!?

Mr. Williams-

I am an editor for my college's newspaper, and I know like you do that the only way for us to make sure that the story is right is to be out there "in the field." It is very important in today's society that we have the story right, or else there could be some serious consequences. And getting the story right, no matter what story it is, involves risks- whether it be getting in the car and driving down the street, or going to Iraq. Our newspaper staff was saddened after hearing about the incident with Bob Woodruff and Doug Vogt, and we have them in our thoughts. They voluntarily took that risk to get the story right. Without people like Bob and Doug, many would not know the truth of what is really happening in the world.

On behalf of our newspaper’s staff, we wish them a speedy recovery and hope to see them back in the field soon doing what they do best. Thank you for blogging with us Brian, and keep up the great work. See you Monday night.

God Bless Bob and Doug and their crew, families and all of our brave soldiers, men and women who show unknown courageous acts every moment of every day in Harms Way for the Country (ies) they are proud of, with our allies; God be comforing and close to the
Bloom Family of NBC News too for David's courageous
work in the field of war for our clarification and information back home. Thank you Brian..and NBC News!.

Brian Williams..Thank you for your indepth explanation as to why it is important and, perhaps, necessary for reporters, journalists and anchor persons to report from "the field". I watch you on NBC nightly. I especially enjoy the series "The Long Road Back". You are, indeed, passionate about your chosen profession.

Americans, especially reporters, have no business in these countries. Anyone who puts themselves in risky situations should make sure that they have no one who cares if they live or die, like friends or relatives. That way, when they do get injured or die, there will be nobody who really feels the pain of the injury. I have brought my kids up to follow that rule because as a parent, I hope I go first and don't have to attend the funeral (and bear the pain the rest of my life) of a kid who was stupid enough to take chances with his or her life. Reporters who put themselves at risk as did Woodruff, have no respect for the feelings of those closest to them and thus are complete fools, as incidentally are you as well for perpetrating this macho reporter crap.

You have truly missed the point. As has happened so often in the media today, you have ignored the 'main' reason why so many Americans have become outraged over the Woodruff and Vogt incident, and have elected to once again glorify your profession. The debate is not whether newsmen should have been at the site where the explodion occured, but the very special treatment afforded Woodruff and Vogt after they were injured. I don't believe it can be argued that the evacuation and medical tratment they received far exceeded that treatment available to our fighting men and women. They chose to be there, for whatever reason. For them to receive care and attention better than anyone else is an outrage. This, in addition to depleting our resources in Iraq to provide them protect them, is precisely what our culture has come to...To the celebrity all! I wish both Woodruff and Vogt well...but to all the media I say, if you can't take the heat.....

You guys are really impressed with yourselves, always patting each other on the back. You don't do your job for the public good you do it for yourself and the bucks. In reality the stuff you guys put out is just your opinion, and I usually have a different one. Get a life, and a real job.

Thanks, Mr. Williams, for your eloquent and insightful comments. I have been a print journalist for most of my working life, and have covered many disaster areas (fires, plane and train crashes) in the aftermath, when the dust had settled and the environment was secure. I doubt I would have the courage to perform well, professionally or emotionally, in a situation where I might at any moment be blown to smithereens, and I have enormous respect for those who can handle dangerous beats. There's a tendency these days for the cynics among us and inside us to think of all news, good or bad, as entertainment, and it's certainly true that terrorists would have little incentive for their dirty work if it was ignored by the media. On the other hand, we need to know what's going on in the world around us, and we owe a very great debt to those - you among them - who risk their lives to keep us informed. Thank you.

Brian, and all news anchors, journalists, cameramen,

Thank you for doing what you do so that we can all be informed. You risk your own safety to be sure that we Americans can hear acurately and first hand what is going on in Iraq, Indonesia, New Orleans. This current administration colors their news releases to serve their own agenda. You choose to color your reports with truth and intergrity. Thank you for your excellent work and your courage that gets the job done right. My thoughts and prayers are with all the American troops, Mr. Woodruff's and Mr Vogt's families ... and you!

Your statement as to the role of network anchors/reporters is comprehensive, thoughtful, and just so right. We can but be grateful that you are able and willing to do your job so that we may better understand the complexity of these times. Gratitude also to your family.

I agree that being on location does give you a better and real sense of what is going on. I believe that news reporters are anthropologists in a sense...they must work with the subjects they are studying for their story. Having said that, you are risking your lives to provide good information to the American people. You and your team are very brave and passionate. We are blessed to have reporters like you who really do care about the ongoing issues in our country and around the globe. I am learning a lot from your reports, commentaries and entries.

Your essay was an indictment against Woodruff for being there and his being injured. You say that, essentially, as a reporter there's no substitute for being there; understanding what our troops are doing and what our mission is, and whether we're accomplishing that mission. To the extent that I can understand what it's like to be there to report, and help us as Americans understand what we're doing there, I agree.

However, Bob Woodruff had been there several times prior to being assigned his anchor position. He had experienced many times what it was like to be a soldier and face danger/death every minute of every day that a soldier is there.

So why did Woodruff or ABC feel the need to send Woodruff in again? Unfortunately, the answer is, in my view, greed on the part of the Disney/ABC. Ratings - the better they are - the more money Disney/ABC makes. It's disheartening to discover that my favorite network newscast (sorry Brian) puts ratings and the bottom line above the safety and well-being of employees and families of employees when it's absoltely unnecessary to do so.

Having been a Brave Girl Reporter (INDUSTRY WEEK's term for all of us) fifty years ago. I am very interested in what s happening to reporters world wide. Although I went places that were unconventional for women at the time, it was never too far from home and not nearly as dangerous. Keep it up, even if it is dangerous. Wish I weren't too old to go.

To Brian and all the brave reporters who put themselves in harms way...Thank you! Without you we wouldn't know what was happening in this world.