Michael Ware

Journalist

Dec 2008

CNN/I: Your World Today



A report on a killing in Iraq that is currently under investigation by the US military -- was a man killed during a raid near Baghdad executed by a Special Ops team or was he killed as he attacked the soldiers? The piece is mostly voice-over only, although Michael provides wrappers filmed in an unidentified studio.

Note: this piece carries a graphic-footage warning.

Length: 4:07

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iReports: "...really was an honor to witness."



CNN ran a year-end special on the 2008 crop of iReports, and it included a very brief clip of Michael talking about covering the war in Georgia.

Length: 0:14

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CNN/I: Obama's War in Iraq



This is a remarkable prepared piece that has not yet aired on Domestic, although it was in "heavy rotation" on International and also posted at CNN.com -- a reality check about the war that P-E Obama is inheriting from the Bush administration, one that will involve less combat action but far more clandestine fighting between the US and Iran over ultimate control of Iraq.

This is such an important piece that I did a transcript of it myself. (Although hopefully Domestic will start airing it soon!)

Length: 4:25

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NR: "In the blink of an eye, one Iraqi journalist both divided and united his country."



A voice-over only piece that shows local Iraqi reaction to the reporter's gesture and the reaction from the Iraqi government.

Length: 2:17

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AAM: "This guy obviously had become pretty disenchanted. That, unfortunately, is not uncommon here in Iraq."



Michael updates the current status of the Iraqi journalist as well as the reactions from the Iraqi people.

Length: 3:08

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AC: "They don't approve of his method, but they certainly approve of his message."



Anderson Cooper asks Michael about the Iraqi journalist whose outburst has riveted the world's attention -- what will happen to him? Under Saddam, he would most certainly already be dead; has enough democracy been brought to Iraq that his fate will be different now?

Length: 4:07

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CB: "Even though you don't approve of his method, everybody here can relate to his message."



Campbell Brown speaks to Ed Henry (at the White House) and to Michael. Ed speculates that future press conferences may include not just magnetometers but a media shoe-removal as well! (And hey, better collect those BlackBerrys, those could do some serious damage!) Michael goes over the cultural issues in the gesture and why whether Iraqis agree with what the man did or not, they understand his anger and believe he should not be prosecuted.

Length: 5:10

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CNN/I: BackStory



Michael speaks with Michael Holmes on BackStory for a look at the footwear event in Baghdad. The second clip is just a short bit of goofiness, one Aussie to another.

Length: 5:13 / 0:34

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NR: "All that people will remember is this moment."



Four more NewsRoom appearances: first is with Betty Nguyen at 8pm Baghdad time; second is pre-recorded; third is with TJ Holmes at 10pm Baghdad time (there is a brief transmission glitch during this one); and fourth with Rick Sanchez at 11pm Baghdad time.

Length: 1:57 / 1:27 / 2:35 / 1:50

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CNN/I: Your World Today




Michael speaks with first Jim Clancy and then Hala Gorani to recap what happened at the press conference and the reactions on the Iraqi street. (The same prepared clip was part of the second piece, but I pulled it. You've already seen it a couple times by now.)

Length: 4:01 / 3:01

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NR: "It's quite a problematic mix of feelings for Iraqis."



6pm Baghdad time: Michael speaks with Heidi Collins about the reactions on the Iraqi street. 8pm Baghdad time: Michael covers the same with Betty Nguyen and also goes on to discuss how the television station the journalist works for is supporting his release and why the Iraqis are looking to charge the man with throwing the shoes in the general direction of PM Maliki.

Length: 3:37 / 3:15

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AAM: "If this had happened under Saddam, it wouldn't have happened under Saddam."



Morning in America brings the first reactions in Iraq. Michael is on at 2pm and 4pm Baghdad time with a pre-recorded piece that covers the incident, the president's comments immediately afterwards, and the cultural meaning of the action. Afterwards, he discusses what has happened to the Iraqi journalist who threw the shoes and the street protests calling for his release.

Length: 5:04 / 4:43

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NR: More on the shoe-throwing incident



Three more reports about the shoe incident, the first two with Alina Cho (midnight and 1am Baghdad time) and the final with Don Lemon (6am Baghdad time).

Length: 4:02 / 7:12 / 1:34

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CNN/I: World News



A report on the shoe incident and the significance of that action in the Arab world, including video of the event and of the president's reaction.

Length: 5:20

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LE: "...which effectively marks the beginning of the end of the American phase of the war in Iraq."



The first report is a straightforward recap of President Bush's arrival in Iraq and the expected meetings and events during his trip. Just before the end of the program, a quick report about the incident at the press conference that was about to become the shoe heard 'round the world.

Length: 2:35 / 1:31

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CNN/I: Your World Today



Michael discusses President Bush's arrival in Iraq and the SoFA, which "effectively marks the ending of the American phase of this Iraq war story."

Length: 2:39

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SM: "This war's about to significantly change."



President Bush arrives for a farewell tour of Iraq. (Oh, so many comments that could be made right here!) Michael appeared on Sunday Morning to describe the arrival ceremony and expected meetings with Iraqi leaders.

Length: 2:50

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NR: "These troops are professionals, and they're going to fight the fight that they have."



Domestic coverage of the Gates visit spanning several hours: 7pm, 8pm, and 11pm Baghdad time. In the first, Michael gives some details of the logistics of the trip, while in the second we see a brief clip of Gates addressing troops at Balad airbase. The third clip is a recorded recap.

Length: 2:06 / 4:05 / 1:56

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CNN/I: World News



Michael discusses SecDef Gates' trip to Iraq and meeting with General Odierno, as well as what looks to be early indications that the US plans to use a very, very broad interpretation of the SoFA. Makes you wonder how many DC lawyers are hard at work, parsing every codicil. (Gotta figure John Yoo is one of them...)

Length: 3:31

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CNN/I: BackStory



Michael has a bit of fun with a Q&A for BackStory, and despite some technical difficulties, we get some fairly enlightening answers. He also takes a couple swipes at fellow Aussie Michael Holmes, which is to be expected whenever possible!

Length: 6:18

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CNN/I: World News Europe



A voice-over only recap of events that includes the video footage from inside the restaurant and at the local hospitals. Michael outlines the various factions competing for power in Kirkuk. (No clue what the "Fallujah" graphic is all about...whoops.)

Length: 2:00

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CNN/I: Your World Today



Three clips from the span of the show, as more details emerge. The first two clips are live and include the first video footage of the carnage; the third one is a recorded recap of the events.

Length: 3:22 / 2:42 / 1:44

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NR: "The war in Iraq just keeps chipping away."



Three hours after the suicide bombing at a family restaurant in Kirkuk, and the update includes information about the meeting of political rivals that was taking place there. But as Michael says, this one seems likely to become more heartbreaking as we get the full picture of what happened.

Length: 1:27

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CNN/I: World News Asia



The first two reports about the suicide bomber attack at a family restaurant in Kirkuk. These aired 1 1/2 hours and 2 1/2 hours after the incident occurred. Michael outlines the various competing factions in the area and offers the most likely candidates responsible.

Length: 3:44 / 2:16

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AAM: "The message here is that no one, even in war, is above the law."



Michael recaps the Blackwater indictments and how the Iraqi people view the situation.

Length: 2:30

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CNN/I: Your World Today





Coverage of the indictments of five Blackwater guards from International: in the first clip, Michael was on very briefly prior to the announcement and then came back afterwards (the actual reading of the indictments is edited out); the second clip is from the next hour, and he recaps the situation; the third clip is his report about the survivors of the incident and is VO only.

Length: 7:05 / 3:38 / 3:51

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AAM: "It appears the situation is rapidly deteriorating for these beleaguered men."



Michael updates last night's report about the contract workers brought to Iraq and then stranded with no jobs and no way to leave. The situation is indeed deteriorating rapidly.

Length: 1:48

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TSR: "It's an obscenity -- abuse of contract workers in Iraq."



An incredible piece -- more than 1,000 men who were brought to Iraq for promised jobs with KBR have been quite literally warehoused at a compound at the Baghdad airport. Stranded, unable to leave, forgotten by everyone, these men are (as Michael says) the poorest of the poor, and have been victimized by companies who charged them large amounts of money for the 'opportunity.' It is an important issue that desperately needed to be brought to the public's attention.

Length: 5:45

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AAM: "The government that started this war has all but ended America's capability to fight that war by signing this agreement."



Michael was on American Morning to discuss the formal end of the SoFA negotiations -- the Presidential Council signed the agreement, as was expected. He lays out some of the details that will tie the hands of the next administration and give the Iraqi government full control of the war.

Length: 4:25

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CNN.com: "A sign of further continuity."

Shortly after the press conference, Michael summarizes the news in a brief pre-recorded clip:

NR: "...a feat of ongoing stewardship as America is waging two wars."



Michael returns shortly prior to the Obama press conference to introduce the new national security team.

Length: 1:40

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CNN/I: World News Asia



A recap for the international audience about the significance of Robert Gates staying on as SecDef.

Length: 2:58

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AAM: "A move in the right direction."



Michael is back on the Baghdad rooftop, discussing P-E Obama's decision to keep Robert Gates on as SecDef.

Length: 4:07

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