The explosion occurred on the same day a series of blasts killed at least 40
people in Iraq and wounded dozens more in the worst wave of violence to hit
Baghdad in days.
CBS News reported on its Web site that the three journalists were embedded
with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division when a nearby car packed
with explosives detonated, the network said. All three journalists were riding
in an armored humvee, CBS said, and were believed to have been wearing
protective gear.
Zalmay Khalizad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, said he was "shocked and
saddened" by news of the journalists' deaths.
"These brave journalists risked their lives to tell the world the story of a
courageous people and a proud nation," he said. "The terrorists who committed
this evil crime have shown themselves for who they are. They do not want the
world to see the truth of what is happening in Iraq, where a determined people
are fighting for freedom and liberty. That story must and will be told."
Douglas, a British national based in London, had worked for CBS News since
the early 1990s in places including
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Rwanda and Bosnia. He is survived by his wife, two
daughters and three grandchildren, CBS said.
Brolan, who also was based in London, had worked with CBS News during the
last year in Iraq and Afghanistan as a freelancer. The British citizen leaves
behind his wife of 20 years, Geri, and two children ¡ª 18-year-old Sam and
12-year-old Agatha.
"James had a natural way with people and was always in demand as the person
to go with to the world's trouble spots; always putting the locals at ease,
winning friends everywhere he went and always putting in his best effort," his
family said in a statement.
In addition to her time in Iraq, Dozier also had worked as the chief
correspondent for WCBS-TV New York's Middle East bureau in Jerusalem, and
previously as London bureau chief and chief European correspondent for CBS Radio
News.
Dozier graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College, majoring in human
rights and Spanish, according to her biography on the CBS News Web site. She
later earned a master's degree in foreign affairs, specializing in the Middle
East, from the University of Virginia.
McManus called the three "veterans of war coverage who proved their bravery
and dedication every single day." They always volunteered for dangerous
assignments and were invaluable in our attempt to report the news to the
American public."
Dozens of journalists have been injured, killed or kidnapped in Iraq since
the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
Before Monday's attack, the Committee to Protect Journalists had put the
number of journalists killed in Iraq at 69. Of those, nearly three-quarters were
Iraqis, the New York-based group said.
In January, ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt were injured
while covering the war in Iraq. They were standing in the hatch of an Iraqi
mechanized vehicle, reporting on the war from the Iraqi troops' perspective,
when a roadside bomb exploded. Both were wearing body armor, which doctors say
likely saved their lives.
Woodruff, who co-anchored "World News Tonight" with Elizabeth Vargas, is
still recovering from serious head injuries. ABC News announced last week that
Charles Gibson will take over as "World News Tonight" anchor.
