The Associated Press has stirred controversy with its decision to distribute a photograph of a dying Marine in Afghanistan.
The photo shows fellow Marines tending to Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard just after he was hit by a rocket propelled grenade in southern Afghanistan on Aug. 14. Bernard was seriously injured in the attack and died later in surgery.
The photo, part of a series of pictures, was released by the AP on Thursday along with a story about the attack that bore the headline, "The Death of One Marine in Afghanistan."
Editor & Publisher reported that newspapers seemed divided about whether to use the photo, with some publishing it and others not.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Robert Gates criticized the decision to distribute the photo, calling it "appalling." In a letter to AP president Thomas Curley, Gates noted that the photo was released "over the objection of Lance Corporal Bernard's grieving father."
In a statement, the AP said the decision to distribute the photo to its subscribers was made after extensive deliberations. An AP reporter met with Bernard's parents to show them the photos before they were released.
"AP journalists have covered conflict around the world for 163 years and witnessed countless scenes of war's deadly consequence. But the decision to distribute them is never quickly or easily made. Ultimately, in this case, AP decided that, in the context of the full report, it was important to show readers and viewers the images," the statement read.
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