Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard Photo | AP Photo of Dying Marine

The AP Photo of dying marine, Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, has stirred a lot of controversy. Many disagree with AP publication of the Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard death photo because it crossed some boundaries that even Defense Secretary Robert Gates has harshly criticized it. The father of the fallen soldier has appealed to AP that the image be removed but AP thinks that it is their duty to “conveys the grimness of war and the sacrifice of young men and women fighting it.” But the grimness of war can be conveyed in many different ways without adding pain to the families of fallen soldiers. Here is the rules of publishing photos (from msnbc):

“The rule regarding coverage of “wounded, injured, and ill personnel” states that the “governing concerns” are “patient welfare, patient privacy and next of kin/family considerations.”

“Casualties may be covered by embedded media as long as the service member’s identity and unit identification is protected from disclosure until OASD-PA [Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs] has officially released the name. Photography from a respectful distance or from angles at which a casualty cannot be identified is permissible; however, no recording of ramp ceremonies or remains transfers is permitted.”