AFRO to be the first black newspaper with reporter embedded with troops in Iraq

(October 9, 2006) The Afro-American Newspapers today announced its plan to send reporter Leonard Sparks to Baghdad to be embedded with American troops in Iraq in mid-October. It is the first black newspaper in the country to have a correspondent assigned to a military unit to cover the war.

The AFRO hopes to provide a first-hand account of the war's progress and soldier stories from a black news perspective. In doing this, the AFRO will not only bring weekly news stories from Baghdad to the newspaper, but also daily updates, entitled 'Today in Baghdad,' which will include audio and video feeds through its website Afro.com and other unique content for AFRO readers. Sparks will be available for scheduled broadcast interviews to radio and television networks through radio satellite communication.

"Historically we've made it our mission to bring to our readers the faces and first-hand stories of our brave men and women, who make up our military's front line," said AFRO Publisher Jake Oliver (above). "The only real way to tell the authentic stories is to be where our soldiers are."

During the AFRO's 114 year history, the newspaper played an active role in sending reporters to several war zones including, World War II, Vietnam War and others for first hand coverage from an Afro-American perspective.

"This is a great opportunity for me, the AFRO and our readers," said Sparks, an award-winning journalist who has worked for the AFRO for almost three years. "The majority of the war coverage we receive focuses heavily on roadside bombings and politics, but there is much more needed to give us a complete picture -- particularly in the area of personal stories concerning our troops."

 Sparks will be embedded for nearly a month. He has been preparing with research on the environmental conditions, history of the people and country, gathering gear, getting shots, and familiarizing himself with the military process and situation in Iraq.

With more than 100,000 readers, the Afro-American Newspapers produces two weekly publications, the Baltimore edition, and the Washington, DC edition. In addition, the company also publishes a daily Web site -- http://www.afro.com/ and produces a weekly public affairs radio program, "First Edition," on Morgan State University radio WEAA FM 88.9.


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