Journalist Groups Protest FEMA Ban on Photos of Dead

[Koyaanisqatsi]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001055768

Journalist Groups Protest FEMA Ban on Photos of Dead
By E&P Staff

Published: September 07, 2005 12:06 PM ET updated 6:00 PM ET

NEW YORK Forced to defend what some critics consider its slow response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said on Tuesday it does not want the news media to take photographs of the dead as they are recovered from New Orleans.

FEMA, which is leading the rescue efforts, rejected requests from journalists to accompany rescue boats as they went out to search for storm victims, Reuters reported.

A FEMA spokeswoman told the wire service that space was needed on the rescue boats and assured Reuters that "the recovery of the victims is being treated with dignity and the utmost respect."

"We have requested that no photographs of the deceased be made by the media," the spokeswoman told Reuters via e-mail.

On Wednesday, journalist groups protested the move.

(more at link above)

[leveymg]

1. There's no lawful basis for such a ban.

Real news organizations will ignore this lame, CYA "request" by FEMA. The networks and other corporate-owned mass media already self-censor.

The real danger is a declaration of Martial Law, which will permit the military to forcibly remove EVERYBODY they don't want in there. I give it about a week until they come up with some pretext, such as a quarantine following the belated discovery of dangerous contagious diseases, such as cholera or typhoid, or related pathogens.

Even in areas that are still under a few feet of water, the continued outbreak of fires is inevitable, which may level large parts of the city. They'll protect downtown and the French Quarter, but many areas won't be so fortunate. That may last for weeks. Then the controlled bulldoze and burn process can commence. Look for the movement of large numbers of earth moving and wrecking equipment into the area.

[elehhhhna]

2. FEMA does NOT have control over National media. yet.

[maine_raptor]

3. Sound familiar

No photos of the dead coming back from Iraq.
No photos of the dead coming back from New Orleans.

My what a pattern!

Guess it would be a blow to the morale of Americans to see just HOW safe this administration is keeping them.

I figure there are about 15,000 dead Americans in the 4+ years these idiots have been in office (3,000 9/11 + 2,000 Iraq + 10,000 Katrina)now.

And there are still 3+ years to go. How many more will die?