Joshua Bernard Death Photo Associated Press
Joshua Bernard Death Photo Associated Press – The Associated Press has angered many by its decision to publish a picture of Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard of New Portland, Maine, who died at the age of 21 after being struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in a Taliban ambush Aug. 14 in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan.Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote to the Associated Press saying:
“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.”
Related posts:
Category: World
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
