Journalists in jeopardy

2/18/2011

Amid the national euphoria over government change in Egypt, a CBS News correspondent was horrifically assaulted in a public square at the heart of the revolution. What happened to Lara Logan is a somber reminder of the threats journalists face when they to gather and report news under adverse circumstances.

Ms. Logan and her colleagues knowingly engage in this risky business to be the world's eyes and ears. The world should be outraged that Ms. Logan — and, reportedly, dozens of other journalists covering the Egyptian unrest — were attacked for doing their jobs.

CBS News said Ms. Logan "suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating" in Cairo as news of President Hosni Mubarak's resignation reached protesters. In the crush of the mob, she apparently became separated from her crew. The network said she was set upon by a hostile group of 200 people who were "whipped into a frenzy." Egyptian women and soldiers ultimately rescued her from her attackers.

Ms. Logan had been an outspoken critic of the Mubarak regime's efforts to intimidate journalists. "We're being prevented from telling this story," she said during a recent broadcast. "People are increasingly afraid to talk to us."

Earlier, the government had detained Ms. Logan, accused her of being an Israeli spy, and told her to leave Egypt. Despite that threat, she returned to Cairo just before Mr. Mubarak fled his office.

The National Press Club in Washington is properly demanding that Egyptian authorities investigate and bring Ms. Logan's attackers to justice. It is also encouraging governments "to help facilitate the free flow of information" that journalists often risk so much to provide.