Harry in Afghanistan: more views
Updated on 29 February 2008
We asked for your views on sending Prince Harry to Afghanistan and the press blackout that followed. Hundreds of you responded. Here's a selection.
I think that Snow's "Thank God for Drudge" comment was absolutely disgraceful. There was no need for the public to know about Prince Harry's deployment until after he returned and if the British media had colluded in keeping the secret then that was a very good thing.
How dare some blogger put his and his comrades lives more at risk?
Alan Thomas
Hats off to the British media for not reporting what Harry was up to!
As an American who has been resident in London for the past 37
years, I have come to view much of the British Media as slime.
More interested in defamation and revenue rather presenting facts to the public.
The few times I have looked at the Drudge Report have been a real turn off, gutter journalism is gutter journalism, no matter who does it.
Jerome Whitney
'Thank God for critical journalists like Jon Snow.'Dr Steven Lawrie
Thank God for Channel 4 News, the only source of reliable TV news in GB, and thank God for critical journalists like Jon Snow. And God save us from Colonel Blimps, authoritarian politicians and other outraged antidemocrats!
Oh, and the next time Channel 4 executives are asked to partake in media censorship, would you please have the courage and integrity to say 'no'.
Dr Steven Lawrie
Jon Snow (and C4 News in general) is and are the most important voices in Television news today - Snow on his own acts as a crucial part of our democracy asking the hard questions, the ones other media outlets won't dare go near. I should know, I work for the BBC!
Douglas
I am very disappointed that you felt the need to report this story early and risk harm to the Prince and others in Afghanistan. This just takes away from your wonderful reporting. Next time SIT ON IT and keep everyone safe.
Can't believe you were so desperate for news. No star in your crown on this one.
J Anderson
'You spent virtually three-quarters of tonight's programme becmoaning the fact that Prince Harry was being made a special case!'Geraldine Monk
Jon Snow is a legend. Simple as. I will be tuning in, as usual, to watch wonderful debate and journalism as it should be. Not covered up, like this silly Harrygate conspiracy.
L
You did not do yourself any favours in your interview tonight, you just appeared like a cranky old man determined to disagree with whatever was said, just missing an old cane to wave threateningly at them.
I certainly am not thankful for Drudge or whatever it's called.
Rebecca Shepherd
I was totally bemused by tonight's programme. It was bizarre verging on the ludicrous. You spent virtually three-quarters of the programme bemoaning the fact that Prince Harry was being made a special case!
Irony doesn't cover it. Surely you could see that your unprecedented extended coverage answered your own question.
Geraldine Monk
'If Channel 4 and Jon Snow do not agree with the media agreement why did you not break the news earlier?'David
Just because Harry wanted to fight doesn't mean he should. We can't always have what we want and our lives and circumstances dictate what we can and can't do... he is who he is.
It is not the media who would be putting Harry or his troop mates in danger - it is Harry and his determination to have his way.
If the media can enter into an agreement to withold information from the public it sets a dangerous precedent and personally, I find it deeply concerning.
Tina Louise
If Channel 4 and Jon Snow do not agree with the media agreement why did you not break the news earlier?
David
Shame on you! Here you are, part of a TV station that connived at keeping this story quiet, and yet when it breaks you've not got the courage or integrity to face your own organisation with the questions you're only too happy to ask, very condescendingly, of other people.
Such nauseating hypocrisy. Almost enough to drive me back to the BBC - but not quite. Just do better next time please.
William Scott
'I'm absolutely disgusted. You have put lives at risk in Afghanistan, one of which is my husband.'Sharon Murphy
Well done, Jon Snow, for having the courage to ask the right questions!
Ian Fantom
I'm absolutely disgusted. You have put lives at risk in Afghanistan, one of which is my husband. I hope you can live with the repercussions.
Sharon Murphy
Are you insane? "Thank God for the Drudge Report"???? I am the mother of an American soldier deployed in Iraq. Were he famous or a high profile target like the prince, I would consider it an act of treason, lunacy, or fatal stupidity to publish his whereabouts.
And what of the other fine men, serving with the prince? Are their lives so unimportant to you media scum that you would see them overrun and murdered so that you could print a few pictures of the prince?
Karen Bojanowski
You should note that Drudge did not reveal the location of Senator McCain's son. They would not dare to endanger his life or that of any other specific American soldier. You should be irate they they have done this to a British soldier.
Wier Straus
'I have just retired from the RAF and feel that everyone should be doing their bit to get behind the military.''One disgusted ex-viewer'
I have just sat through what could have been a celebration of our Royal Family fighting alongside the regular squady in Afghanistan. Instead I had to sit and listen to Snow droning on about his opinion of Our Prince out doing his bit.
I have just retired from the RAF and feel that everyone should be doing their bit to get behind all aspects of the military.
'One disgusted ex-viewer'
Like other issues relating to our armed forces, Jon Snow yet again disgraces British news broadcasting.
I have not watched Channel Four since Snow refused to wear a poppy.
GR Welshman
As a serving member of the armed forces I am glad to see members of the royal family again serving on the front line.
If only more influential individuals including press and members of parliament served in the armed forces, our soldiers might feel more appreciated and supported whilst putting there lives at risk every day of the year to protect the security of our country.
Name witheld
