Some may call it surrender, but after getting punched in the face numerous times and confined to a hotel room amidst escalating chaos, I personally endorse Anderson Cooper’s decision to leave Egypt. The Silver Fox took to his Twitter account today, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave Egypt.” He went on to confirm CNN will continue to have an on the ground presence well after he’s officially left.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, at least thirty staffers, eight of which are correspondents, will remain in Egypt. Earlier this week, major network news anchors Brian Williams and Katie Couric both also decided to flee as the once peaceful protests are turning increasingly dangerous.
It would be nice to live in a world where reporters are able to stay apart from the fray and simply observe, but sadly, we’re still a long way off from that. It would unfair to pin all the hostility on one group; however, it certainly seems logical that the pro-Mubarek supporters would have more to gain from stifling news, whereas his detractors would mostly want the rebellion to be televised. Still, in situations like this, television reporters are often viewed as elements of the establishment and can therefore draw wrath from the other side as well.
