Fox News announced Tuesday morning that longtime cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed Monday outside of Kyiv while covering Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war against a sovereign Ukraine in an incident that also killed Ukrainian reporter Oleksandra Kuvshynova (who was workingAs a Fox News producer, and Gravely injured Fox State Department correspondent Benjamin Hall.
Concurrent with a memoSuzanne Scott is the Fox News Media CEO America’s Newsroom Bill Hemmer, co-host of the show, broke the news to viewers about Zakrzewski by stating that he had been fired. “some very difficult news to share with you now” As “Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski has died in Ukraine” While “working with our Benjamin Hall when incoming fire hit their vehicle outside of Kyiv.”
Hemmer called him “an absolute legend at this network” who’s “been with us for years covering wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria”He described his loss as “devastating.”
He then read excerpts from the memo, quoting Scott as having said Zakrzewski’s reputation was one that played “all sorts of roles ‘in the field — photographer and engineer and editor and producer — and he did it all under immense pressure and with tremendous skill.’”
Jay Wallace, Fox News President and CEO of Fox News stated in the memo that his colleagues were journalists. “‘always felt an extra sense of reassurance when they arrived on the scene,’ and they saw that Pierre was there.”
Hemmer said that the screen was almost black before he concluded:
He was an expert, a journalist and a friend. We here at the Fox News Channel want to offer our deepest condolences to Pierre’s wife, Michelle, and his entire family. Pierre Zakrzewski, who was just 55 years old at the time of his death, is already missed by us.
Faulkner Focus host Harris Faulkner opened her show with a coda to Hemmer’s tribute: “Our prayers with Pierre’s family.”
Later in the hour, foreign correspondent Alex Hogan wrapped a story from border of Slovakia and Ukraine with an emotional tribute to her fallen colleague, saying this death is a source of “heartbreak” as she and her team have seen “a lot of heartbreak” from refugees.
“Pierre Zak was an incredible photojournalist and he was an incredible friend. He is greatly missed, and all of us are dealing with this loss and the grief. And he is just an incredible person that will not be able to be replaced,”Sie said.
Then she closed her remarks by repeating that. “like the heartbreak we are hearing from so many people who are making this difficult journey out of war torn Ukraine, he was an incredible photojournalist covering those stories and bringing that to us.”
Faulkner said that “we are all hurting” “griev[ing] together”For those involved in the conflict: from Ukrainians fighting, to Russians upholding Putin, to journalists “play a role in all of that.”
“Alex Hogan, stay strong, stay safe,”Faulkner was also added.
To see the relevant Fox transcript from March 15, click “expand.”
FNC’s America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer & Dana Perino + Faulkner Focus
March 15, 2022
Eastern, 10:59BILL HEMMER: Alright, it is about a minute before the 11:00 hour here on East Coast time and we’ve got some very difficult news to share with you now. Pierre Zakrzewski (Fox News) has passed away in Ukraine. While working alongside our Benjamin Hall, Zakrzewski was struck by an incoming flame outside of Kyiv. This picture was taken with Steve Harrigan, and other capitalists just a few minutes ago. Pierre Zakrzewski is a legend on this network. His loss will be felt deeply. Pierre Zakrzewski has covered wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria for many years. Our CEO, Suzanne Scott, noted a few moments ago that Pierre “jump[ed] in to help” out with all sorts of roles “in the field — photographer and engineer and editor and producer — and he did it all under immense pressure and with tremendous skill.” The president of FOX, Jay Wallace, says that everyone “always felt an extra sense of reassurance when they arrived on the scene,” and they saw that Pierre was there. He was a journalist, professional and was also a friend. We here at the Fox News Channel want to offer our deepest condolences to Pierre’s wife, Michelle, and his entire family. Pierre Zakrzewski, who was just 55 years old at the time of his death, is already missed by us.
[FADE TO BLACK]
[FOX NEWS ALERT]
HARRIS: Our prayers with Pierre’s family.
(….)
Eastern, 11:52
ALEX HOGAN – We’ve seen a lot of heartbreak. Harris, I’ll be brief: We as Fox have been reporting on this ground. Our heartbreak not only affects the victims, but also the colleagues we lost. Pierre Zak was a great photojournalist, and an amazing friend. He is greatly missed, and all of us are dealing with this loss and grief right now. It is impossible to replace him. We are all hearing the pain and heartbreak of so many who have made this hard journey from war-torn Ukraine. He was an amazing photojournalist, covering these stories and sharing them with us.
HARRIS FAULKNER: Alex, all of this hits us — all. When leaders from Poland, Russia, and other nations today enter a war zone and are forced to flee, as I have called it, this is when we all feel the pain. And we’re all seeing this. And, you know, our leaders are telling us in both parties outside of the White House that there’s so much more that we can do. Together, we mourn. We are deeply sorry for those in Ukraine. We also grieve for the Russian citizens who risk their lives in order to defeat their president/dictator Putin. They’re putting themselves lives on the line to try to get the truth out as well. The role of journalists is a key part in this. Alex Hogan: Stay strong and safe.
HOGAN: Thanks, Harris.
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