The Blaze has suspended a correspondent who boasted about shooting at Islamic State fighters in Iraq while on assignment, saying that it potentially puts other journalists in danger.
“Exclusive: TheBlaze’s Jason Buttrill shoots at ISIS members and shares footage from the Mosul front,” reads the headline of the controversial story, which was posted last week and remains live. Video footage depicts Buttrill, a former marine, shooting at least six rounds at the Islamic State.
Buttrill also posted a photo of himself shooting to Twitter, bragging: “Major bucket list completed. Shoot at #ISIS ? Check!”
Major bucket list completed. Shoot at #ISIS ? Check! pic.twitter.com/sACRLFoY5V
— Jason Buttrill (@JasonButtrill) December 8, 2016
But foreign correspondents and journalists responded with alarm, suggesting Buttrill’s behavior on the front line was unethical and dangerous.
For instance, Jason Stern of the Committee to Protect Journalists, tweeted: “Jason, journalists are detained and killed all over the world over false accusations of being combatants. This doesn’t help.”
@JasonButtrill Jason, journalists are detained and killed all over the world over false accusations of being combatants. This doesn't help.
— Jason Stern (@IbnLarry) December 9, 2016
@JasonButtrill this makes you a foreign fighter, and it endangers real journalists covering conflict in the Middle East.
— Lindsey Snell (@LindseySnell) December 9, 2016
Shameful, irresponsible behavior by @JasonButtrill that puts ever journalist on the front in even more danger. https://t.co/Cdk2OlAxCm
— Sheren Khalel (@SherenK) December 9, 2016
@JasonButtrill hey man, I understand the impulse but there are carefully designated lines in journalism for a reason.
— Lev Novak (@LevNovak) December 9, 2016
@JasonButtrill Thanks for making the entire community less safe for the rest of us all for a dude bro selfie. Hope it was worth it.
— Gavin John (@GJohnJournalism) December 10, 2016
Buttrill has since apologized for his behavior.
I regret my earlier tweet about firing shots at ISIS. I spent many more years in the armed forces than I have as a member of a media +
— Jason Buttrill (@JasonButtrill) December 11, 2016
organization. I failed to appreciate that my actions could put the lives of combat journalists at greater risk. For that, + https://t.co/kz6SlcJDZA
— Jason Buttrill (@JasonButtrill) December 11, 2016
I am truly sorry. As a former Marine, I am hardwired to want to shoot at the bad guys. As a member of a media organization, I should have + https://t.co/BHlTaDhfqy
— Jason Buttrill (@JasonButtrill) December 11, 2016
known better. I do now. In the future, I’ll leave the shooting to the combatants. https://t.co/DBgLTlcTz0
— Jason Buttrill (@JasonButtrill) December 11, 2016
In a statement, the Blaze’s managing editor told Politico: “Last night, I failed to appreciate the gravity of the subject matter, and let it past my usual filter. That was a mistake.”
Buttrill is being pulled from his assignment in Iraq, said Mercury Radio Arts, which owns the Blaze.
