Press gone too far (Iraq, Taliban, Afghanistan, soldiers)

[live_strong28]

disgusting.


The image of a dying U.S. soldier has sparked a furious debate over the Afghan war which has divided America | Mail Online

[Tone509]

This post is more appropriate for the Politics and Other Controversies forum. I'm moving it there.

[Catrick]

Originally Posted by live_strong28

disgusting.


The image of a dying U.S. soldier has sparked a furious debate over the Afghan war which has divided America | Mail Online

My strongest objection is that they did it against the family's wishes. That should be a priority for any news organization. But I suppose that is asking too much.

I saw the story online yesterday. It took me awhile but I did look at the photo. Not out of curiousity but out of a thankful respect to the soldier for his sacrifice. And it was a painful reminder of all the soldiers who have given their lives for us or who have been wounded. And just maybe we need that reminder that this is how it is in war.

But if we need that reminder, it should be done with respect to the family, permission of the family and good taste, if that is even possible.

My best wishes and thanks to the family for their loss. And shame on the AP.

[robbobobbo]

Considering the father asked AP not to, I think it was grossly wrong of AP to publish it. And I don't buy AP's explanation of "it's important for people to know." I think the father's (and rest of family's) needs outweigh that. We don't own his death, his dying image isn't for our consumption. Shame on the AP.

[live_strong28]

We already know how war is after Nick Berg was beheaded and the video was put on the internet. The AP is sick and disgusting with no compassion for the dead or for his family.

USATODAY.com - Video shows beheading of American captive

[Catrick]

Originally Posted by live_strong28

We already know how war is after Nick Berg was beheaded and the video was put on the internet. The AP is sick and disgusting with no compassion for the dead or for his family.

USATODAY.com - Video shows beheading of American captive

You know I managed to miss that and would have been happy to have never seen it but some news station just showed the video the other night with no warning. I am sure his family appreciates that too.

Perhaps there is a part of me that wishes the people would rise up and start really questioning whether or not we should be involved in any conflict short of another attack on this country. I do believe we need to stay in Afghanistan and finally go after the terrorists and their taliban supporters there. But if people took off their blinders and saw just how horrific war is and the effects on the soldiers and their families we might not let the generals and politicians be so quick to rush us into one. My Father was in WWII and my husband in Viet Nam. My Dad never talked about it and my husband won't. He says I don't want to really know. Maybe he is right.

And they die so the press can show their death. I just don't get it.

[irisheyes13]

This story really angered me on so many levels but mostly because of the fact that just a few short months ago we learned that a NY Times reporter had escapted capture after being held for 7 months but, we had never read about his capture because the NY Times and his family asked it be kept quiet to ensure his safety. Major news sources and Wkipedia as well as other sites did everything they could to keep this story from the news yet they go against the request from this family to not show this footage.. They ought to be ashamed of themselves!

NYTimes and Wikipedia Save Reporter’s Life By NOT Reporting On His Capture

[AONE]

I feel for the Family of this solider but I disagree with the thought about the press. Under the Bush reign of terror we were not allowed to see the reality of what his actions were causing. Perhaps if the Americans saw the real images of whats being done in their name they would say enough.

Viet Nam was portrayed for what it was and a nation said NO.

Now a small image of the reality gets people inflamed, The reality is what should have people mad as hell.

http://www.propagandamatrix.com/imag...100306iraq.jpg

http://www.fotos.geschichtsthemen.de..._12_iraq_b.jpg

http://www.doubletruckmagazine.com/i...afiles/l29.jpg

The last image tells it all. Isn't it time to end this? No the press has not gone far enough people need to be in the streets, not ignorant, pretending nothing is happening.

[bellalunatic]

It is interesting that nowadays with the speed of technology a soldier's parents actually get a chance to voice their opinion about wether or not a picture of their child should be published.
I think it is a sad fact that the AP is there to show the horrors of war, and unfortunately the family's request was not honored.
However, they are doing their job, just as the brave soldier did his.
War sucks, and we should be reminded of that every darn day that we are sending our kids into the battlefields.

[irisheyes13]

Originally Posted by bellalunatic

It is interesting that nowadays with the speed of technology a soldier's parents actually get a chance to voice their opinion about wether or not a picture of their child should be published.
I think it is a sad fact that the AP is there to show the horrors of war, and unfortunately the family's request was not honored.
However, they are doing their job, just as the brave soldier did his.
War sucks, and we should be reminded of that every darn day that we are sending our kids into the battlefields.

But when it was one of their own, they did not do their job and report on that story... They kept it quiet for 7 months and did not tell the story until after the reporter escaped.. They loose all credibility about the publics right to know after that..