Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and war correspondent Peter Arnett died at the age of 91, according to US media reports. Arnett passed away on Wednesday in California, surrounded by family and friends. He had been receiving hospice care for prostate cancer.
Arnett, a New Zealand-born journalist, was recognized with the international reporting Pulitzer Prize in 1966 for his coverage of the Vietnam War for the Associated Press (AP). His career spanned several decades, during which he reported on conflicts in countries including Iraq, Vietnam, and El Salvador.
Early Career and Vietnam Coverage
Arnett began working for AP as a wire-service correspondent in Vietnam in 1962, remaining there until the conflict concluded in 1975. During this period, he frequently accompanied troops on missions, documenting events on the ground. He recounted witnessing a soldier being shot during his time in Vietnam, an experience he shared at an American Library Association talk in 2013.
The Gulf War and CNN
In 1981, Arnett transitioned from AP to CNN. He gained prominence for his reporting during the first Gulf War, where he was one of the few Western journalists to remain in Baghdad. His live broadcasts from the city were at times interrupted by missile strikes and air-raid sirens. While in Iraq, he conducted an interview with then-President Saddam Hussein, stating his intention to be thorough in his questioning.
Later Career and Notable Interviews
In 1997, Arnett conducted an interview with Osama Bin Laden at a clandestine location in Afghanistan, several years prior to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. During this interview, Bin Laden reportedly stated, "You'll see them and hear about them in the media, God willing," when asked about future plans.
Arnett later worked for NBC. He was dismissed by the broadcaster after an interview on Iraqi state television, where his comments were perceived as critical of US military strategy. Following his dismissal, he was hired by the Daily Mirror, where he stated his commitment to reporting the truth of events in Baghdad.