Pics of US forces killed in action banned

Editor & Publisher's Greg Mitchell says the controversy over the AP/Julie Jacobson photo that showed a dying Marine (left), which appeared to be within the rules for embedded journalists, has led to a new directive that will bar such pictures in the future.

Mitchell writes: "The new rule, contained in a directive from the Combined Joint Task Force in Bagram, Afghanistan, simply states: 'Media will not be allowed to photograph or record video of U.S. personnel killed in action.' Period."

He adds: "The previous embed rule in this area stated: 10. Media will not be prohibited from covering casualties provided the following conditions are adhered to...DOD will release names of KIAs. In respect for family members, names or images clearly identifying individuals 'killed in action' will not be released prior to notification of next of kin."

Mitchell says: "Even though permitted, extremely few graphic photos of casualties have appeared in the U.S. press from Iraq or Afghanistan."