Robert Gates protests AP decision as 'appalling'

[thundley4]

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is objecting “in the strongest terms” to an Associated Press decision to transmit a photograph showing a mortally wounded 21-year-old Marine in his final moments of life, calling the decision “appalling” and a breach of “common decency.”

The AP reported that the Marine’s father had asked – in an interview and in a follow-up phone call — that the image, taken by an embedded photographer, not be published.

The AP reported in a story that it decided to make the image public anyway because it “conveys the grimness of war and the sacrifice of young men and women fighting it.”

The photo shows Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard of New Portland, Maine, who was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in a Taliban ambush Aug. 14 in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan, according to The AP.

Gates wrote to Thomas Curley, AP’s president and chief executive officer. “Out of respect for his family’s wishes, I ask you in the strongest of terms to reconsider your decision. I do not make this request lightly. In one of my first public statements as Secretary of Defense, I stated that the media should not be treated as the enemy, and made it a point to thank journalists for revealing problems that need to be fixed – as was the case with Walter Reed."

“I cannot imagine the pain and suffering Lance Corporal Bernard’s death has caused his family. Why your organization would purposefully defy the family’s wishes knowing full well that it will lead to yet more anguish is beyond me. Your lack of compassion and common sense in choosing to put this image of their maimed and stricken child on the front page of multiple American newspapers is appalling. The issue here is not law, policy or constitutional right – but judgment and common decency.”

The four-paragraph letter concluded, “Sincerely,” then had Gates’ signature.

The photo, first transmitted Thursday morning and repeated Friday morning, carries the warning, “EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT.”


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26759.html#ixzz0QBmLSznF

[mamacags]

What complete and total dickheads.

[thundley4]

What complete and total dickheads.

Showing flag draped coffins wasn't enough for the assholes at AP.

[RightCoast]

Until they show the Daniel Pearl Video on primetime they have no right to show that picture.  Assholes.

[JohnnyReb]

Airyhead Puffington....ain't she a piece of work.

[Ogre]

 mother:censored: worthless pieces of I'll :censored:ing give them appalling.  I hope his family sues the worthless 's for every  god last cent. 

[NHSparky]

Al-AP.  Was there ever really any doubt?

[Gratiot]

What complete and total dickheads.

+1

[Celtic Rose]

Prayers for the man's family.  Way to exploit the suffering AP 

[Chris_]

A$$holicus Patheticus.