Interview on Israel Radio International, October 22, 2003
IRI Host: We're speaking now with freelance reporter Jennifer Lewis. It's nice to have you with us today.
Jennifer: Thank you. I'm glad to be here.
IRI Host: You've just returned from a tour of the hot spots in the Mid East; the Sinai, the Horn of Africa, Iraq; I've read your stories and I want to ask, what is the common element in all those places?
Jennifer: First of all, it's hot. [laughter]. Really, there's a lot of good American men and women doing a fine job protecting civilization from terror.
IRI Host: You have a book out now with some of these stories in it ...
Jennifer: Yes. 'My Soldier Friends.'
IRI Host: ... it's a good book, I enjoyed it.
Jennifer: Thank you.
IRI Host: Great stories in it. But moving along, you have another book due out next month.
Jennifer: Yes. 'My Marine Friends' will be out in November in time for the Corps' birthday.
IRI Host: And more on the way, correct?
Jennifer: There will be one on the Navy and another with Air Force stories coming out next year.
IRI Host: Nothing on the Israeli military?
Jennifer: Actually, I am working on a book that will cover stories from IDF members and it will focus on the Palestinian terror attacks and the way Israel deals with them. That probably won't be out until '05 or later.
IRI Host: What I found surprising is that you are an American who calls Israel home.
Jennifer: Why's that?
IRI Host: I would think that an American, especially an American reporter, would want to spend time in New York or Washington where all of the power is at and it's the center of the news media.
Jennifer: I don't want to be around them. They worry more about appearances and perceptions rather than the story. I'm a reporter so I can pay my rent and my bills. I'd rather be a full-time writer, but until I make a little more money at it, I'm going to have to keep doing news stories.
IRI Host: You don't like being a reporter.
Jennifer: Not at all.
IRI Host: Why?
Jennifer: As I said, most reporters are interested in appearances. The story isn't important to them unless its big enough to make a name for them. There are some exceptions, but that's how I see most reporters.
IRI Host: You have been criticized by some of your colleagues for not being objective.
Jennifer: That's because I consider myself an American first and a reporter second. Actually, I'm a writer second. Being a reporter is a distant third.
IRI Host: What do you mean by that?
Jennifer: I wouldn't even think of reporting on something that would endanger Americans. And I try to look for the good that America does, not just constantly reporting bad news ...
IRI Host: But bad news makes news.
Jennifer: And there are plenty of people who report on that. There are plenty who report on the problems with America and Israel. How many times have you seen a New York Times headline that criticized Israel, but I can't remember one that criticizes the Palestinian terrorists. And there's always stories about how America is in trouble in Iraq, but very few that mention the good that is being done.
IRI Host: That's true, but you see that in all the major news outlets.
Jennifer: That doesn't make it right. Didn't your mother ever say, 'if all your friends jump off a bridge are you going to as well?'
IRI Host: [laughter]
Jennifer: I don't want to be like that. There's a lot of good stories out there and I'm going to report on them. I'm not going to be like the rest of the media clone army and say that everything is horrible. I want to be different.
IRI Host: You certainly are.
Jennifer: Thank you.
IRI Host: What is next for you?
Jennifer: I'll be leaving in a few days to go to the U.S. I have a few interviews planned at some military bases and then next month I'll be visiting some Marine bases to promote my book and hand out free copies.
IRI Host: Shouldn't you be selling the book?
Jennifer: It's the least I can do. When 'My Soldier Friends' came out I visited about a dozen Army bases and gave out a couple thousand books.
IRI Host: That must have been expensive.
Jennifer: I'm a writer. I'm not out there putting my life on the line like these fine men and women do every day. I could sit at home, write stories, do phone interviews and the occasional on-the-scene report. It's dangerous, but nothing like what these brave people do every day all the time. What's a little money compared to what they do? I just wish I could do more.
IRI Host: It has been a pleasure having you here and we hope to see you again soon.
Jennifer: My pleasure. Thanks for your time.