Fox News is grieving after losing journalists in the field for the first time in the network’s 25 year history.
Photojournalist Pierre Zakrzewski, 55, and consultant Oleksandra Kuvshynova, 24, were with correspondent Benjamin Hall on Monday when their vehicle came under fire. Hall was injured and rushed to a hospital, which Fox reported Monday.
It was well known among reporters that Hall, who Scott said remains hospitalized, was not traveling alone. But major news outlets waited to report any details until Zakrzewski and Kuvshynova were accounted for. There were some hopes, or at least a glimmer of hope, that they might be found alive.
But officials in Ukraine confirmed on Tuesday that both journalists were dead, and they blamed artillery shelling by Russian forces. “The truth is the target,” Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense said.
The deaths underscore the dangers faced by members of the media across Ukraine, nearly three weeks into the Russian invasion…
“Without a free press, the autocrats win”
Fox’s national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin said it best on the air Tuesday: “The loss and pain we feel is enormous,” Griffin said, “but if ever there were a time that the world needed journalists, reporters, risking their lives to tell these stories, to tell the truth, it’s now. Without a free press, the autocrats win. We will redouble our efforts to honor these colleagues,” she said, choking back tears, “and all reporters in harm’s way tonight.” As Bret Baier said to her, “Your feelings are our feelings tonight…
Blinken condemns “Russia’s ongoing violence”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he was “very saddened” to learn about the deaths of Zakrzewski and Kuvshynova. He offered his “deepest condolences” and also wished for Hall to make a “speedy recovery.” Blinken added, “I am grateful to all those risking their lives to show the world what is happening in Ukraine. The United States condemns Russia’s ongoing violence, which is putting the safety of journalists and other media workers in Ukraine at risk…”
>> Bret Baier described Zakrzewski and Kuvshynova as “wonderful people” who “were lost on that battlefield…”
>> Bill Hemmer, who broke news of Zakrzewski’s death on the channel’s air, said thatthe photojournalist was “an absolute legend” at the network…
>> Trey Yingst tweeted this about Zakrzewski: “I don’t know what to say. Pierre was as good as they come. Selfless. Brave. Passionate. I’m so sorry this happened to you.” Yingst added this about Kuvshynova: “She was talented, well-sourced and witty. She liked photography, poetry and music. We became fast friends over a shared love of coffee…”
>> Clarissa Ward, who said she met Zakrzewski in Gaza in 2006, spoke to Anderson Cooper about him: “He really was the real deal, Pierre. He cared so much about these stories. Every war zone you went to, Pierre was there. This was his life. This was his passion. He was dedicated to it…”
>> NYT released a statement of solidarity: “Brave journalists like Pierre and Oleksandra put themselves in harm’s way to tell the world about the harrowing impact of the fighting there. We are deeply grateful to them and all journalists who take severe risks to bear witness to conflicts around the world…”
— The family of Brent Renaud, who was killed in Ukraine on Sunday, thanked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for his condolences: “We stand with you and the people of Ukraine…” (Twitter)
— CNN.com’s banner headline right now: “35-hour curfew in effect in Kyiv.” Here’s the latest… (CNN)
— In congressional testimony on Tuesday, Anne Applebaum said “we need to provide real, long-lasting competition for the Russian state-run cable and satellite television that most of the people in these regions watch…” (The Atlantic)
— Meanwhile: The FCC has implemented “new rules requiring broadcasters to identify foreign-government material,” David Shepardson reports… (Reuters)
— NPR examines what the Ukraine war looks like from Russia: “The shaping of the Russian narrative begins with words — both chosen and left unsaid…” (NPR)
— Zelenskyy calls for Russian propagandists to quit their jobs… (Twitter)
— Brian Fung writes about how, despite Putin’s media clampdown, “a growing number of Russian internet users appear determined to access outside sources and circumvent the Kremlin’s restrictions…” (CNN)
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