Anderson Cooper Decides to Leave Egypt

By Christine Fenno Posted Feb 6th 2011 01:09PM

Escalating violence in Egypt targeting journalists and camera crews, all trying to report on the massive demonstrations that broke out Jan. 25, have prompted many news teams to evacuate for safety. NBC's Brian Williams and CBS' Katie Couric left the country on Thursday.

Anderson Cooper, despite being attacked Feb. 2, insisted days later that "we will find a way" to stay and cover the protests against President Hosni Mubarek. However, he recently told followers on Twitter that he's packed up.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave Egypt," he wrote Saturday. "CNN continues to have many teams in place. It was a hard decision to leave."

The CNN anchor didn't indicate whether he has traveled directly home to the U.S., and has not yet spoken publicly about what prompted the change of heart.

Cooper has a history of sticking with dramatic stories, both domestic and international, while reporting from the field under frequently changing circumstances. But his viewers know he was attacked in Cairo last week (CNN stated no serious injuries were sustained) and security in cities where riotors are most aggressive is apparently not improving. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports more than 110 direct attacks on journalists in recent days.

The day Cooper was caught in the violence, a CNN staffer working on the story told his Twitter followers the anchor was "punched 10 times in the head."

Cooper later described the incident on the air: "There was no rhyme or reason...it was just people looking for a fight, looking to make a point and punching us....They at first started going for the cameras; they didn't want any pictures taken...The crowd kept growing, kept throwing punches, kicks....suddenly, a young man would look at you and punch you in the face."

Millions have taken to the streets demanding the immediate removal of President Mubarak and his regime, amid corruption allegations. In response, pro-Mubarek counter protests have created particularly violent conditions, with the two sides attacking one another with bottles, stones and sticks.

Tags: anderson cooper, cnn, egypt protests

Comments

(59)

Sunday 06 February

By leroy

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What a media hog,no wonder he got the beatdown.

Monday 07 February

By BTDT

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He kinda liked getting punched, but when they short-sheeted his bed, he stamped his little feet and headed for home.

By tony

gee,you think?

By injun

Too bad he's leaving, was looking forward to see him on World's dumbest videos getting his butt kicked. He doesn't have to be in Egypt to report on it anyway, he's going to write what cnn wants him too regardless,

By al

The going gets rough so he gets the hell out of Dodge--WTF. Pansy.

By falcon38a

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U prick... Anderson Cooper is doing the RIGHT thing. All our journalists need to get out of there. You ever been in a mob of emotional people...much less Muslims? If you are such a tough guy, why don't u go over there?!

By liz

Oh, and you would stay!!!

By lizstebbins

Imagine that!!

By Robert Cape

I appreciate the coverage, but did anyone really think that a regime that is willing to kill civilians wouldn't go after the reporters? "counter-demonstrators" means hired thugs, and civilian-dressed secret police, from what I've seen and read. There may be a few genuine morons who want to be slaves, but their numbers would be pretty small, even in Egypt. The rest of that mob was hired and paid, organized and deadly. I hope the demonstrators can stick it out, but I have little faith in Arabs.

By Sonja

Don't you know by now you can not believe any of the news that is reported about Egypt & it's protesters. I wouldn't even trust the so-called protesters as they are as crazy as their dictator. Democracy, is what is being said they want, I DOUBT IT, THERE IS ANOTHER REASON ALL THIS HAS STATED, ESPECIALLY SINCE OBUMMER HAD THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AT A SPEECH IN 2009. HE INVITED THEM, HE IS NOTHING BUT A MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD HIMSELF & MOST LIKELY HE IS THE ONE THAT HAD THIS WHOLE THING STARTED. WHAT BETTER WAY TO BRING DOWN AMERICA'S ECONOMY & PUT ISRAEL IN MORE JEOPARDY. HE HAS ALWAYS HATED ISRAEL, FROM HIS ACTIONS HE HATES AMERICA. IF THINGS GO THE WAY HE WANTS HIS DREAM OF A "NEW WORLD ORDER" MAY NOT BE TO FAR OFF. PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TO LATE.

By feeberoo

I really don't blame him and probably they should all leave. Perhaps the crowds might disperse once they realize they aren't getting publicity.

By kitharris1

the crowd doesn't want their pictures taken, that endangers their lives later on if indentified. the journalists know this and could care less, they are just after fame and fortune. then they act surprised that they go after the cameras. journalists in these situations are nothing but pimps selling lives instead of bodies.

By Holly

Good idea, Anderson. Leave the actual news reporting to the grown ups.

By Polar Patrol

Thankfully, there's hard-hitting journalist Holly here on PopEater to discredit you, sir.

By Hmmm

I'd be for getting the hell out of there as well!

You should join the French Army. You would be a perfect fit.

By Murdoch

Narcissism 101.
This weeks expert is Anderson Cooper.
Make the story about you.

Yeah, Holly...u go over there!

By falcon 38

first off I wouldn't be so money/ego hungry to do that job. they wanted this job, get paid very well to do this job, so do it or fire them, and fire the guys who sent them there.

Couric and Williams are flat out chickens.

Like I said above. The French Army needs a few good cowards. Looks like you would be a perfect fit.

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