News organizations press White House to release visual proof of bin Laden’s death

[tekisui]

Source: The Raw Story

The Associated Press and other news organizations have officially taken the position that President Barack Obama should release visual proof of Osama bin Laden's death, claiming that without this level of transparency the White House is essentially deciding what is and is not newsworthy.

In an interview with The Atlantic Wire, AP senior managing editor Michael Oreskes explained the organization's position is that proof should be released to professional journalists, who would then decide whether to release the media or merely describe it.

"This information is important for the historical record," he reportedly said. "That's our view."

AP and other news organizations filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests last week in hopes of triggering the release of visual confirmation of bin Laden's death. After a fierce internal debate that split the president's aides, Obama has maintained that he will not approve the release due to national security concerns.

more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/05/10/news-organizations-press-white-house-to-release-visual-proof-of-bin-ladens-death/

[KansDem]

1. Too bad they weren't just as persistent in requesting Bush release visual proof that Saddam had WMDs

Might have prevented a lot of heartache...

[marlakay]

28. They just want the attention it would give and

ratings of course during may sweeps...

[babylonsister]

32. Oh, snap!!!!!!!!!!!!! No kidding! nt

[Peacetrain]

43. Bingo!

[Nancy Waterman]

44. Or releasing Bush's military records

or proof of torture or....

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. I want my pony! I want my pony! Waaahhhhh!

Fuck the media. They would love nothing more than to escalate the fighting and the animosity. Afterall, they make their livings fanning the flames. The media's need to know (morbid curiosity) doesn't outweigh the safety of our troops in the field.

[tekisui]

3. You really believe the photo would enrage more than

our presence, bombs and the acknowledged killing of OBL? You seriously think it would have a significant impact?

I don't.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Photos wouldn't prove anything,

and if so, what exactly?

[tekisui]

8. It would prove a dead bin Laden.

It would satisfy the journalists and honest skeptics. I don't give a shit about the conspiracy theorists who won't believe anything.

[FrenchieCat]

17. Actually, the media wants the photos so they can publish them.....

because that's what they do.

I don't think "journalist" care about anything more than they don't get to write about
the photos....and don't get to write about the controversy that those photos would generate,
without their release.

What's funny is that, I don't give a shit so much about Journalists want these days. Most are corrupt and will write and say just about anything. After them helping take us into Iraq, and making a giant ass deal about Bin Laden for all of these years, while the same coddled Bush....I really dont give a fuck what they demand. They aren't owed a damn thing, IMO. Let them do their "investigative work" and get the photos....just like our Seals went and got Bin Laden.

[Hutzpa]

23. +1

well said.

It's easier to see who they're working for, me thinks the same people on the right that came out
defending Bush's policy and wanting praise for killing Bin Laden are the same people networking
to get the photos out.

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. Doesn't matter what you or I think. Thank God or Goddess, much smarter

people get to make those decisions. Oh, and did I mention? Fuck the media? :hi:

[onenote]

39. Yes I do.

Just as we saw what could happen when some clown burns a copy of the Koran. He had a right to do so, but the consequences were predictable and awful. The WH has the legal ability to release photos, but the consequences again would be predictable and awful.

[CakeGrrl]

4. What part of "National Security Issue" do these people not understand?

They're just rubberneckers who want to plaster death photos on their news pages.

[tekisui]

10. I don't believe that there is a national security issue here, whatsoever.

[CakeGrrl]

13. What is the point of this request other than feeding the news beast?

And to the point made upthread, if only they'd been this "diligent" in pursuit of information disclosure during the Bush Administration.

Maybe you don't think the U.S. media waving Bin Laden's dead face all over the place will evoke much reaction from Al Qaeda or other terrorist organizations, but I think I'll go with the President and his advisors on this one.

[tekisui]

15. The fake photos were published widely on tv and in papers in

the Arab world. They were published as real, until reveled as fake. The world didn't ignite.

It is in the interest of transparency and honesty. To your point on the diligence that lacked under bush, that is no reason to not be diligent now.

[CakeGrrl]

20. And the President gave his reasons for NOT doing so.

Not sure whether you're personally skeptical about bin Laden being dead or if you're concerned that the media won't shut up about it or something else, but as far as I'm concerned, this selectively diligent media can take a hike or file whatever they want or go stomp their feet.

[onenote]

40. Well, then. That settles it.

If you don't believe something, it must not be true?

[tekisui]

42. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise.

Fake photos were published and believed. Real photos of dead inside the compound have been widely released. OBL simply does not have the support or following to have any kind of noticeable impact.

[pnwmom]

6. In the age of Photoshop, there is no such thing as visual proof of anyone's death.

As the AP must surely realize.

They just want the photos to sell newspapers.

[Enrique]

7. why can't the AP be more like Politico

and just report things the way their anonymous government sources tell them things happened.

I bet Politico has never filed a FOIA request in its life. (though someone will quickly correct me if I'm wrong, which is what I love about DU.)

[tinymontgomery]

9. It's starting to becoming to where I think

they should have never said anything after they took him out. Life would just go on. Announce it just as you leave office. If a repub is elected leave it to them to publish the pictures.

[damntexdem]

12. Just tell them the coordinates of where he was buried at sea.

Let them go and try to look. ;-)

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. You owe me a keyboard!

:spray:




:thumbsup:

[phleshdef]

14. The President said no to the Bin Laden snuff pornography.

And a vast majority of Americans agree with this decision.

They are gonna have to get over it, at least while he is in office.

[tekisui]

16. We'll see, hopefully the FOIA will get the photos.

[onenote]

41. not a chance.

[high density]

18. Well in 2002-2003 Bush decided that Iraq was newsworthy

And the press assisted him in lying us into a war.

Their concerns about "transparency" on this issue are nonsense. Releasing the photo will not prove anything to the people who already doubt it. The press will be the first to question and blame him after releasing the photo, which would undoubtedly lead to instances of violence and death in certain parts of the world.

[LiberalFighter]

21. They want to see the photos? Fine. But

They don't need to have hard copies or digital versions.

In an interview with The Atlantic Wire, AP senior managing editor Michael Oreskes explained the organization's position is that proof should be released to professional journalists, who would then decide whether to release the media or merely describe it.

Take the decision factor out of it and tell them they can view the media and describe it to their readers. But no photos will be allowed to leave the room in any fashion.

[CakeGrrl]

22. Good idea.

Then people will have to take their word as journalists for what they saw. Put THEIR credibility, such as it is, on the line.

[Whisp]

31. and see how all their stories match up. that would be interesting wouldn't it?

[Hutzpa]

24. Also they should be searched thoroughly before going in

nowadays there are all kinds of gadget people used to get info, that is if the Obama
administration change their minds, if not, then FUCK THEM! where was this
outrage for proof before Bush took us to two wars.

[Raine]

25. At first I thought they should be made public but now I think Obama

did the right thing buyt witholding them. Anyway he can always decide later to put them out but once they're out, it's been done. I can't help but think the media just wants them out there for shock value.

[Brickbat]

26. God forbid the media should want to corroborate what the government is saying.

[jefferson_dem]

27. The media are doing their job.

I was wondering how long before the FOIA request would be filed.

I do hope, however, that the White House does their job and fights to keep the images private...and wins.

[Brickbat]

29. Exactly. That's what I'm saying.

They're doing their job; it's not some bloodthirsty, war-extending thrill they're looking for.

[DevonRex]

30. Of course. And the answer is still no.

[vaberella]

33. My question is...why do YOU want to see it so badly? What does it do for you? n/t

[tekisui]

34. Personally?

I like to error on the side of transparency. It would put the story to rest in the M$M and for any reasonable and honest skeptics. I think the debate over pictures has distracted form the more important issues and questions to be asked. I would prefer it to be done with.

Whether conspiracy nuts believe it is immaterial. There will always be something for them. But, as long as the government has the pictures and until they are released, it will be an issue for a larger population that just the nuts. The release would end the distracting question of what the photos show. We could move on to the more important questions. Which goes to a point that the WH has an interest in keeping the focus on the debate around the pictures rather than around the operation itself.

[BlueIris]

35. Don't do it, Mr. President. It would be in incredibly bad taste,

and the corporate media would then lambaste you for that, too.

[Robb]

36. They just want a bloody photo to run on Page 1.

Nothing more, nothing less.

[davidpdx]

37. They want the photos so they can blame Obama when there is retaliation

aq has pretty much verified in their statements that we got bin Laden and so have his family.

[tekisui]

38. You don't honestly believe that retaliation is dependent on releasing the photos

do you?

[davidpdx]

45. No, but I think it will make it more likely and it could make it worse

Right now I think aq is biding their time given that they are shocked we got him. By no means do I think aq is done, but I think we should do everything we can by keeping the photos out of the press.

[CakeGrrl]

46. Yes. It's a matter of intensifying the already-existing desire for retaliation.

Does anyone want to further incite an organization that has no qualms about committing suicide missions to take out Americans? Why hand them photos of the 'martyred Sheikh Osama'?