As we saw Columbia happen — first a fiery streak, then a skyful of lifeless shards – we knew this would be a year full of events that would awe us. And, indeed, "shock and awe" was the term the Pentagon applied to its initial strike against Iraq, which everyone knew was coming.
I went to Baghdad myself to lobby Saddam's information minister for visas. When he asked me if America really had the courage to attack Iraq, I knew that the Iraqi regime was totally cut off from reality.
Our finest moment: live pictures of our reporters on tanks on the way to Baghdad. Greg Kelly took a piece of shrapnel to the face, but kept on doing his job. Rick Leventhal showed once again why he's one of the best journalists on television with his fearless pursuit of the story. Shock and awe, not just in Iraq, but in our newsroom as well. We were at war and FOX was covering it better than anyone. Fair and balanced news was never more important.
Yes, there were other events in 2003. Basketball legend-in-the-making Kobe Bryant was arrested on rape charges, setting off the latest celebrity scandal follies. And a new question: is an alleged rape victim entitled to anonymity if she starts doing interviews?
Later in the year, an electric substation in Ohio failed and sent the Northeast into darkness. It was an incident that caused everyone to ask: is this another terror attack? After 9/11, every unforeseen event of any magnitude would generate the same panic.
John Moody serves as the Senior Vice President, News Editorial for FOX News. He is responsible for both the design and editorial direction of FOX News Channel and oversees all story content for FOX News.
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