The dying marine: What the hell was the AP thinking?
The Associated Press’s decision to publish a photograph of a mortally wounded Marine over the objections of the family and of the Defense Department was wrong. Also, morally indefensible. Look, I’m a 1st Amendment fundamentalist. I lean in the direction of publishing anything and letting the public decide. But just because you have the right ...
The Associated Press's decision to publish a photograph of a mortally wounded Marine over the objections of the family and of the Defense Department was wrong. Also, morally indefensible.
The Associated Press’s decision to publish a photograph of a mortally wounded Marine over the objections of the family and of the Defense Department was wrong. Also, morally indefensible.
Look, I’m a 1st Amendment fundamentalist. I lean in the direction of publishing anything and letting the public decide. But just because you have the right to do something doesn’t mean it is the right thing to do.
Bob Goldich, a friend of mine whose son served as a Marine in Iraq, observes that, "the photo was not of LCpl Bernard after he had died — it was while he was dying. I think this is crucial. The dead feel no pain. But the dying do, and publishing the photo transmitted LCpl Bernard’s pain to his family."
The AP stated that despite the objections, it went ahead and ran the photo because it "conveys the grimness of war and the sacrifice of young men and women fighting it." I confess that I haven’t looked at the photo, and don’t want to. But if that was the AP’s purpose, what was so urgent that it couldn’t wait a few weeks or months, until the family had had a chance to mourn? I mean, these wars aren’t going away.
Today I am embarrassed for American journalism. As a former military reporter, I also am angry with the AP. They’ve committed the sin, but all of us in the media will pay for it. This one will haunt us for years. The Marines especially don’t forget. What a long way to come from Iwo Jima — that iconic photo of the flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi was taken by another AP photographer, Joe Rosenthal.
I’ll end with a plea to the AP: It is never too late to do the right thing and apologize.
More from Foreign Policy
Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America
The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.
The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense
If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.
Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War
Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.
How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests
And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
