Anthony Shadid’s Cousin Takes A Shot At New York Times

Anthony Shadid‘s cousin claims that the deceased war correspondent held a certain contempt for his employers at the New York Times.

In fact, according to the Los Angeles Times, Ed Shadid claimed at a banquet this week that Anthony would hold the New York Times responsible for his death.

Reporter Anthony Shadid was working for the New York Times in Syria, covering the uprising, when he collapsed and died of an asthma attack.

“The phone call the night before he left, there was screaming and slamming down the phone in discussions with his editors,” Ed Shadid said. “It was at that time that he called his wife and gave his last, haunting directive: That if anything happens to me, I want the world to know the New York Times killed me.”

That Anthony Shadid made such a claim has not been confirmed by anyone besides Ed Shadid. Anthony had a reputation for reporting in dangerous situations.

In the course of his reporting for various major news outlets over the years, Anthony Shadid had been shot, kidnapped and beaten, yet persisted in his work.

The blog Politico reports that the New York Times said Anthony Shadid was never pressured to go to, or remain in Syria.

“Anthony’s death was a tragedy, and we appreciate the enduring grief that his family feels,” New York Times spokesperson Eileen Murphy told Politico. “With respect, we disagree with Ed Shadid’s version of the facts. The Times does not pressure reporters to go into combat zones. Anthony was an experienced, motivated correspondent. He decided whether, how and when to enter Syria, and was told by his editors, including on the day of the trip, that he should not make the trip if he felt it was not advisable for any reason.”

Other family members have remained silent on the issue.

Tyler Hicks, the New York Times staff photographer who planned the trip with Anthony Shadid seems to confirm that statement, saying Anthony was the one pushing to make the trip.