WOuldn't that be your CO's decision? Or were you the CO?
Luckily, no reporters wanted to be embedded with us, when they were explained that they'd have to WALK the whole time :) My CO swore that if they give us a newsie, the newsie will pull his share of the platoon gear. WHichever was the reason, we didn't get a newsie until Baghdad, and by then I wasn't with my unit, anyway.
The usuals, whatever I post is my opinion, yaddayaddayadda. I'm still learning this, so if you listen to me, well, good luck to you :)