'Restrepo' Director Tim Hetherington Killed in Libya

Seems like the only time I post here nowadays is just when I have bad news. I've held this back for a number of days, hoping that it isn't true, but it is, so here: Tim Hetherington was killed in Libya on Wednesday, along with Chris Hondros of Getty Images, when they were photographing in the beseiged city of Misurata, Libya.

Though I have yet to watch Restrepo - the documentary that he co-directed with Sebastian Junger chronicling a platoon's time in the the Korengal Valley, one of the deadliest cities in Afghanistan - I have read Sebastian Junger's book, War (and reviewed it in my personal blog). Tim is mentioned throughout and it is really difficult to connect this person in the book with the reality of him being dead. I can't imagine what it must be like for his family and friends, but as an admirer of his work, I feel so saddened by this.

There have been an outpoouring of sympathy and memories from the war journalism community, and I am at least glad for the attention that a combat zone is getting, even if it's because of the reporters. After all, it's what these men and women who work in these dangerous situations want.

From Tim's friend and co-director, Sebastian Junger:

You had a very specific vision for your work and for your life, and that vision included your death. It didn’t have to, but that’s how it turned out. I’m so sorry, Tim. The conversation we could have had about this crazy stunt of yours! Christ, I would have yelled at you, but you know that. Getting mad was how we kept each other safe, how we kept the other from doing something stupid.

From Greg Campbell, Chris' best friend who'd saw him the week before:

We talked about this special breed of journalism he was drawn to and how important it was to bear witness to atrocities that take place far most of the world's eyes. He believed entirely in the power of photojournalism to change the world, to enlighten hearts and minds, and to bring justice and possibly comfort to those who are suffering the most. His deepest commitment, from the very beginning, was to honor those he photographed and bear witness to their struggles.

Finally, CJ Chivers of The New York Times attended the memorial service in Benghazi, Libya,and the Times posted his account of the service. During the ceremony, Marc Burleigh of AFP read from Gustave Mahler, 9th Symphony, 4th Movement:

Often I think they’ve gone outside!
Soon they will get back home again!
The day is lovely! Don’t be anxious,
They’re only taking a long walk,
They’ve only gone out before us,
And will not long to come home again.
We’ll catch up with them on yonder heights
In the sunshine!
The day is fine on yonder heights!

Four NYT Journalists Missing in Libya (Update!)

NYT's Media Decoder reported this afternoon that four NYT journalists are missing in Libya: Anthony Shadid and Stephen Farrell, both prominent war reporters; and Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario, photojournalists who regularly produce amazing images of war-torn countries.

This news is doubly frightening considering the recent treatment of 3 BBC reporters in the hands of the Libyan military. For 21 hours, they were beaten and subjected to fake executions, but were eventually released. Also, this happened in Egypt a month ago.

When I first read about the NYT reporters, it felt like my heart had dropped to my stomach. I'm especially familiar with Hicks and Addario's photos since I have great admiration for war photographers. They put themselves in the direct paths of tense and life-threatening situations in order to capture a shot that properly showcases a war. Whenever I see their photos, I always wonder what's happening around them – what is not seen in the images captured?

Two weeks ago, Hicks' account of his experience photographing in Libya appeared on the Lens blog. About war photography, he had said:

Conflict is very difficult to capture in a still photograph. Once you take away the sound and the motion, when you’re trying to capture that feeling and that atmosphere, it’s very difficult to translate — what it feels like to be there, the confusion and gunfire and bombs and all these things that envelop you in battle. To take a single photograph of that is a challenge.

It can be so easy to romanticize lives of war reporters and photographers – God knows I'm guilty of that with all the books I've read from war reporters. But then something like this happens and all I can feel is incredible dread. It reminds me that though their work must be exhilarating and fulfilling, that rush can sometimes come at the expense of their safety. They remain in my thoughts.

Update 3/18/11:

Christiane Amanpour interview Qaddafi's son and he said that the four journalists are under government custody and will be released later today!