A Day in the Life of a Journalist in Baghdad
Dispatched to cover the crisis in Iraq, ABC News' Chief Global Affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz - who is on her 23rd trip to Iraq - with the help of ABC News producers Cindy Smith and Bartley Price, chronicled a day working and reporting in Baghdad on June 19, 2014.
10 a.m. Martha meets with the ABC News team to plan out the day's events. Working in Iraq presents many logistical and security issues in addition to reporting the day's news, so there is a great deal of planning involved.
1 p.m. Traveling around Baghdad, we must take security precautions, so our security team never allows us to leave without wearing a flak jacket.
For protection in Iraq, @MarthaRaddatz is never without her flak jacket while traveling outside in Baghdad. pic.twitter.com/5j5ll7Vfhh
- This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 21, 2014
2 p.m. Reporting live for Good Morning America; on this day, the jihadists fighters were attacking the country's largest oil refinery in Baiji.
Here's @MarthaRaddatz in Baghdad, Iraq on Thursday. The latest on the continuing crisis there tmrw on #ThisWeek. pic.twitter.com/V0gF0EFeQY
- This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 21, 2014
3 p.m. Most days lunch (and dinner) consists of a buffet dominated by chicken and rice … but we desperately needed a change of pace. #PIZZA
What does @MarthaRaddatz eat while in Iraq? A lot of chicken and rice, but on Thursday, the @ABC team had pizza. pic.twitter.com/wCg69HqRsv
- This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 21, 2014
5 p.m. We head out to shoot some video around the city.
Here's another picture of @MarthaRaddatz in Baghdad, Iraq. Photo taken by producer Cindy Smith. pic.twitter.com/4vxFmGST62 - This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 21, 2014
Car bombs and IEDs are a daily occurrence. Here, the remnants of a recent explosion are seen on this street corner.
6 p.m. We interview a local shop keeper about people living in Baghdad who feel nervous about the rising tensions. Many have started stockpiling food.
. @MarthaRaddatz talking to a local shop keeper in Baghdad on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/JUp56p20M7
- This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 21, 2014
7 p.m. At sunset, we stop by this local park filled with families still trying to carry on life as normal.
Talking to Iraqi family before President Obama speaks on @ABC pic.twitter.com/aiNIDNrjNq
- Martha Raddatz (@MarthaRaddatz) June 19, 2014
8 p.m. We get an urgent call from Washington, DC: President Obama is about to announce his decision on Iraq so we rush back to the outdoor studio to get ready for ABC's special report.
Baghdad. Waiting to go on the air after Pres Obama speaks. Call to prayer echoing thru city. @ABC pic.twitter.com/UYqonKK8c8
- Martha Raddatz (@MarthaRaddatz) June 19, 2014
10 p.m. Back to the hotel to start writing a script for World News. We'll get to bed at 2 a.m.
This post was edited by Benjamin Bell and Camille Squires.
For more on the developing situation in Iraq, watch This Week on Sunday.
Like "This Week" on Facebook here . You can also follow the show on Twitter here .
Go here to find out when "This Week" is on in your area.