Journalist dismissed after refusing to cover Iraq war

A journalist allegedly dismissed by a Walt Disney-owned news organisation for refusing to cover the war in Iraq is claiming unfair dismissal.

Richard Gizbert, a London-based journalist, claimed today he was sacked by the American ABC News for refusing to risk his life.

The former BBC journalist and independent MP Martin Bell will appear as a witness in support of Mr Gizbert at an employment tribunal.

Mr Gizbert covered wars in Bosnia and Chechnya during this 11 years with ABC News but said he "drifted away" from war reporting and wanted to spend more time with his family.

He said he negotiated a new contract, giving up allowances he received for working in this country, in return for not covering wars.

Mr Gizbert said he refused two requests to go to Iraq and was then told he was being replaced by someone who would go to war zones.

"Many news organisations are having difficulty finding reporters to cover this war, especially since Westerners have become targets of bombings and abductions," he said.

ABC News has refused to comment on the case for legal reasons but has said that correspondents were only sent to war zones if they chose to go.

- INDEPENDENT