Teen Reporter in Iraq

[Jason Roberts - WCTB/WHQO/WSKW]

Larry-

I agreed completely and did everything I could to discourage this trip in
the beginning. Ultimately, though, his parents and school advisors gave him
their support, and I chose to do the same.

This is truly a case of you having to know this kid, to understand his
drive; it was going to happen regardless of whether I supported him or not.
He is better prepared than most journalists of any age, with both equipment
and training (he is, I believe, the youngest graduate of AKE's Hostile
Environment program).

He was going. My disapproval would not have stopped him. But trust me, I
completely understand your point of view and I don't do this easily. I know
that my small staff and I will all lose a lot of sleep when he's over there.

-J.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Weil" <kc1ih@mac.com>
To: "Jason Roberts - WCTB/WHQO/WSKW" <maine.radio@verizon.net>;
<boston-radio-interest@rolinin.BostonRadio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 5:45 PM
Subject: Re: Teen Reporter in Iraq


> I would do nothing to encourage a young person to travel to such a
> dangerous part of the world.  I think this is really a foolish and
> dangerous thing to do.
>
> At 05:35 PM 6/2/2004, Jason Roberts - WCTB/WHQO/WSKW wrote:
> >Some of you may have heard the stories on WBZ in Boston or on WHQO 107.9
THE
> >Talk Station in Maine, but I thought I'd share it here for a couple of
> >reasons. First and foremost, I, personally, would welcome advice on how
to
> >help this young man reach a wider audience. Other than buying a
distribution
> >list, what is the quickest way to reach programmers? (I've been the one
> >being reached for so long that I've never really given thought to how
they
> >track me down!)
> >.
> >-------------------------------------------
> >Derek Mitchell is an impressive, driven young man. Along with the prom,
> >graduation, college prep, and other activities any high school senior
might
> >undertake, Mitchell has added a trip to Iraq to his list of things to do
in
> >June.
> >
> >Later this month, Derek Mitchell will spend two weeks in Iraq where he
will
> >file reports for our WHQO 107.9 The Talk Station.
>
> --
> Larry Weil
> Lake Wobegone, NH
>
>