You may have heard or read that CBS chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan has recently arrived in Washington, DC to be treated after being sexually assaulted and beaten by a mob in Egypt.
The question I would like to pose is if women should report news in situations where mobs have broken out? In areas where mass sexual assaults and gender affiliated violence readily occurs? Countries in which not only have interstate political and social uproar, but where misogyny also lurks. I understand women and men are capable enough to do the same as men. But are women more at risk compared to their male-counterparts in being abused, at least in terms of sexual abuse? And, if women are more at risk, should women thus not participate in such reporting?
You may have also heard the case of Anderson Cooper who recently was beaten by a mob in Cairo. A numerous amount of other reporters in Egypt have also been attacked. But the potential consequence of sending a male versus a female news reporter is quite obvious: sexual assault. The question is, knowing these unintended though potential consequences have news production companies refrain from sending their female news reporters?
Logan’s beauty of course is one item to briefly discuss. She is stunning, however, I do not believe her beauty was solely what lead the mob to sexually assault her. If any woman, of any color, size, or sex appeal was sent into a similar conflict, this outcome could potentially occur.
I do not believe however, women news reporters should be stopped or should stop entering into these situations to conduct reports. The possibility of being sexually assaulted is a risk, it is easy for me to say these things, but I do believe female news reporters should have the choice, opting-out or opting-in. This is what Feminism is all about.
I do hope though that female news reporters continue to, even after what Lara Logan has and similar cases have endured, still go and report. Even with the risk of being sexually assaulted. We must keep breaking this glass ceiling. I know, once again, it is easy for me to say these things. But by visualizing women in these situations provides empowerment, or at least should instill empowerment in the women who are watching. Standing up against misogyny and the risks that may lie ahead. Standing in the face of potential gender sexual violence, and continuing to report “on the ground” information.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 
As a male psychology student, but more so as a human being, it breaks my heart to hear of such evils. I do not think that female reporters should be stopped from doing anything that a male reporter would be allowed to do, but as a pragmatist I feel that putting a female reporter into a very dangerous situation reflects on the judgment of whoever it was that made the decision.
We do not know all of the details of the situation but if I was her boss this would haunt me for the rest of my life because I failed in my responsibility to protect my reporters from unnecessary danger. I was originally training to be a firefighter, and I think that this example illustrates what I’m saying better:
If a crew of four firefighters arrive at the scene of a three story apt fire, three of the firefighters are males that weigh over 190 pounds along with a female that weighs around 140 lbs, then the choice would be obvious as to who you send up the ladder to assist/carry civilians which may weigh over 300 lbs. I’m not suggesting to leave the female firefighter at the station, I’m just suggesting to not put her into a situation that’s more dangerous for her than it would be for the males. There are always plenty of tasks at the scene of any fire, and the commanding officer (whether it be the female or one of the males) is responsible for the safety of the crew.
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The “blame” certainly does fall on the one or group who decides to place a woman into a situation such like a mob. I am not certain if after this case, it will have any effect on if women reporters will still be sent into these sorts of situations. We will see.
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