Anthony Shadid Dead: Journalism World Pays Tribute To Beloved Correspondent

The sudden, heartbreaking death of New York Times correspondent Anthony Shadid prompted an outpouring of grief from his fellow journalists.

The 43-year-old Shadid, who died of an asthma attack while reporting in Syria on Thursday, was about as respected and revered as it is possible for a reporter to be. This was reflected in the tributes paid to him, as journalist after journalist called him a hero, an icon or a friend.

New York Times editor Jill Abramson sent out this email to staffers about the news:

I have heartbreaking news. Anthony Shadid, our brilliant and beloved colleague, has died, apparently of an asthma attack, while reporting inside Syria. Anthony, accompanied by Tyler Hicks, was on his way out of the country, heading toward the border to Turkey, when he suffered the attack. Tyler carried Anthony out of Syria into Turkey.

Anthony died as he lived — determined to bear witness to the transformation sweeping the Middle East and to testify to the suffering of people caught between government oppression and opposition forces. He has spent much of his storied career chronicling the Mideast; his empathy for its citizens' struggles and his deep understanding of their culture and history set his writing apart. He was their poet and their champion. His work will stand as a testament.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family tonight: his wife, Nada Bakri; his son and daughter; and his parents.

Below, see some of the other ways Anthony Shadid was remembered.

Comments

[chancher]

04:39 PM on 02/17/2012

A journalist of courage and integrity - a rare breed. What a loss!

[sophiesmother]

01:45 PM on 02/17/2012

I don't know why, but I was overwhelmed with sadness on hearing about Anthony Shadid's death. I loved his written material, but, when he was interviewed he was so honest, so informed, so human. This is a sad day for journalism.

[tyruler]

11:56 AM on 02/17/2012

One of my favorite journalist other than Robert Fisk who actually deserved the term journalist.

He will be severely missed, there will be none like Shadid.

[mrwea]

08:08 AM on 02/17/2012

Investigate further; this happened in Syria.

[Anniebody]

08:08 AM on 02/17/2012

RIP Anthony. You will be missed.

[Hyacinth420]

07:03 AM on 02/17/2012

So very sad!! What a loss!!! People with Asthma are at a greater risk than most realize. We need more general awareness of Asthma for the general public!

[UpBone]

04:12 AM on 02/17/2012

He'll be missed.

[Saumya Shrivastava]

02:56 AM on 02/17/2012

RIP Shadid. An idol for all the journalists.
http://liveoncampus.com/wire/show/3176945 this indeed is his best video.

[Jane Claymore]

02:52 AM on 02/17/2012

This is terrible.

[Robert Weller]

01:36 AM on 02/17/2012

There was no need to ask where he died. Where else but Syria? I do urge all editors to consider carefully before sending someone who suffers asthma into an area like Syria where cannons fill the air, from ground to sky, with smoke. I had a colleague who died under similar circumstances though he managed to make it back to Europe.

[ceciboloca]

01:02 AM on 02/17/2012

Very sad news. Anthony Shadid's language was very poetic and his insight unique.

[knott wrench]

12:57 AM on 02/17/2012

My condolences to his family and friends.