One of the world's largest newsgathering organizations has called for the release of the visual evidence of the death of Osama bin Laden. The Associated Press has filed Freedom of Information Act requests for such material and its senior editorial official has asserted journalists must be given the chance to judge for themselves whether to publish the content.
Michael Oreskes, the senior managing editor of The AP, tells The Atlantic Wire that President Obama has pledged to run a much more transparent administration. While he notes this would be a difficult decision for the president, he says it is the job of journalists to seek this material. This material is important for the historical record, he argues.
Obama appeared on CBS' 60 Minutes Sunday and said the release of such material could incite violence and incur harm. Obama said he has seen the photo and "it is him."
Since the death of bin Laden, several organizations have sought the release of the visual evidence to support the assertion he is dead and to understand more about the confrontation that led to his death.
But there is an enormous debate on the necessity to release the evidence. Some argue that it does not add any important information to the issue and only runs risk. What do you think?
Michael Oreskes, the senior managing editor of The AP, tells The Atlantic Wire that President Obama has pledged to run a much more transparent administration. While he notes this would be a difficult decision for the president, he says it is the job of journalists to seek this material. This material is important for the historical record, he argues.
Obama appeared on CBS' 60 Minutes Sunday and said the release of such material could incite violence and incur harm. Obama said he has seen the photo and "it is him."
Since the death of bin Laden, several organizations have sought the release of the visual evidence to support the assertion he is dead and to understand more about the confrontation that led to his death.
But there is an enormous debate on the necessity to release the evidence. Some argue that it does not add any important information to the issue and only runs risk. What do you think?
