AP Photo of Dying Soldier Draws Criticism

Julie Jacobson, AP

A decision by the Associated Press to distribute a photo of a dying Marine, Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard is drawing much criticism from both sides of the aisle. AP reported that the Marine’s father had asked, both in an interview and in a follow-up phone call, that the photo not be published, yet it was.

The photo of Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, 21, was taken by an embedded photographer, Julie Jacobson. The picture shows his fellow Marines helping Bernard after he suffered severe leg injuries as a result of an RPG attack on Aug. 14th in southern Afghanistan. He was evacuated to a field hospital, but he later he died on the operating table.

While I have chosen not to publish the image directly, the controversial Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard photo can be viewed by clicking the above image, which shows U.S. Marine Lt. Jake Godby paying his respects to Bernard during a memorial service.

Santiago Lyon, the director of photography for AP, explained the Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard photo as follows:

“AP journalists document world events every day. Afghanistan is no exception. We feel it is our journalistic duty to show the reality of the war there, however unpleasant and brutal that sometimes is.

“We understand Mr. Bernard’s anguish (he's speaking of Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard's father). We believe this image is part of the history of this war. The story and photos are in themselves a respectful treatment and recognition of sacrifice

“Our story and photos report on him and his last hours respectfully and in accordance with military regulations surrounding journalists embedded with U.S. forces.”

Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent a strongly worded letter to the AP, in which he said:

“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.”

Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) echoed Gates' sentiments, with a simple tweet on Friday:

This truly is appalling. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26759.html

American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill said of the photo of Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, “Outrageously irresponsible.”

Some media outlets chose to publish the photo, some did not. The Buffalo News ran the photo, as did The (Wheeling, W.VA) Intelligencer, the Akron Beacon-Journal and the St. Petersburg Times. Others, such as the Orlando Sentinal, the Arizona Republic, and The Washington Times ran other photos.