AP’s pic of dying Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard spurs pain, controversy
The AP has been harshly criticized by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates after their controversial decision to run a picture of a dying young marine in the last moments of his life, in direct opposition to the wishes of the Department of Defense and the young man’s family.
Lance Corporal Joshua M. Bernard, 21, was struck by a grenade on August 14th while serving in Afghanistan. The young man lost both legs, and though he was tended to be fellow Marines, Cpl. Bernard did not survive his injuries. An AP photographer was on the scene and captured the young soldier’s devastating injury and death.
Now the AP is at the center of a debate as to whether the picture is gratuitous and offensive, or a necessary document of the plight of American soldiers stationed abroad. The AP sent representatives to speak to the Bernard family, who respectfully requested twice that the organization spare them further pain by distributing the photo depicting their son’s painful death. But despite “reflection,” the AP decided to run the photo.
Gates penned an angry missive to the AP, expressing distaste for the organization’s lack of compassion:
“The American people understand that death is an awful and inescapable part of war,” Mr. Gates wrote. But publishing this photo, he said, goes against the wishes of the family and thus would mark an “unconscionable departure from the restraint that most journalists and publications have shown covering the military since September 11th.”
He added: “Why your organization would purposefully defy the family’s wishes, knowing full well that it will lead to yet more anguish is beyond me.”
A handful of outlets ran the seven picture series in its entirety, including the Akron-Beacon Journal. (Click the link to view the pictures.) As I looked through the photos, I was personally affected more by the picture taken just prior of Cpl. Bernard patrolling, uninjured and healthy. Also touching was one of his fellow Marines kneeling at a memorial for the young man. As a parent, I can’t argue with the decision to fight the publication of the photo. But looking at the young man pictured above, with his life ahead him and barely old enough to buy beer, I have to consider what not running it ultimately achieves.
While war is horrific to look at especially as a civilian, is the true horror not that this is by no means a unique incident? Every week, men as young and loved and prayed for as Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard meet painful, needless deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan in wars we now know were predicated on lies and misinformation. Many more are permanently injured and forever changed by the atrocities of war. To gloss over what’s happening right this minute, as you read this and I type it, is to possibly allow it to continue for longer than is necessary. Which is more tragic?
