Jules Crittenden, a journalist and 2003 embed with A Co., 4/64 Armor, 2nd Bge, 3rd ID in Iraq, writes on the incident in which The Associated Press decided to go against the wishes of a young Marine’s family and publish a photograph of him taken after he was mortally wounded in Afghanistan.
Crittenden’s analysis is evenhanded with respect to both sides of the “publish or not” dispute, and worth a read for his insight.
Don Surber also posted his thoughts, initially putting up the photo, then on second thought, removing it.
Ignoring whether or not the publication was in violation of the embed agreement AP signed with DoD, my feeling is that the picture of Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard should not have been published. Not so much because it added to or detracted from the story, but simply in respect to the wishes the family, whose remembrance of him will be forever affected by that single picture.
I still recall my father’s body in his casket, 30 years ago, and I still have trouble remembering him as he was before his untimely death.
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