Until Wednesday's incident, a Canadian journalist hasn't been injured in a conflict zone since 2002, when the Toronto Star's Kathleen Kenna got seriously wounded by a grenade attack.

But that risk is there. For journalists and news organizations alike, the issue is one of weighing the risk versus the importance of the story.

From the CP story on Macleans.ca:

According to the military, more than 250 journalists have embedded with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan since January 2006.

"This is an extremely dangerous assignment," said Robert Hurst, president of CTV News.

Reminder: I work for CTV.ca News

"We, as a news organization, take every precaution possible. If you don't think this is a dangerous assignment, you shouldn't be volunteering to go . . . We are going to continue to be there as a news organization because the Canadian military is there and we think it's an important story to tell."

Media covering the mission in Afghanistan send reporters highly prepared, putting them through intensive training courses and equipping them with flak jackets, helmets and the knowledge they can decline opportunities they're unsure about.

Yet, no matter how prepared a reporter is, editors are never completely comfortable sending their staff into war zones.

"We send our journalists away for the best training that's available for journalists in a combat or conflict situation, but that doesn't mean you don't worry. I worry every day," said Scott White, editor-in-chief of The Canadian Press.

Graeme Smith of The Globe and Mail has done a long stint in Afghanistan and has done some agenda-setting reporting while he's been there. Here are some of his thoughts from the story:

Despite the protection offered by the Canadian military for embedded journalists, many decide to venture off the base. Those reporters often uncover compelling stories, but Smith acknowledges it's a risky pursuit.

"The incident that happened (Wednesday) was a bit surprising because that kind of travel is considered the safer option for journalists," he said.

"Working on your own in a vehicle that is not armoured with no weapons, that's considered the more dangerous scenario."

When travelling with troops, journalists ride in the safest part of a heavily armoured vehicle, wearing a helmet, Kevlar strapped to their chest, and a plate on their front and back that can stop an AK-47 bullet, Smith said.

He said Wednesday's incident gave him pause.

"It made me stop and think again about why I do this. I reached the same conclusion that I always reach, which is that this is important work and we have to do it and it's still worth the risk."