The Failed Pacifist

White House: No Photos of Prez Speech

The White House refused to let photojournalists take still pictures of the President after his speech on Wednesday night. This is described as a highly unusual move, given the importance of the speech. Instead, the press were issued an official photograph taken by Eric Draper, the official White House photographer. Many news agencies, including the AP and Reuters, refused to run the handout image.

Normally after the president gives a televised address, a pool of news photographers takes pictures of the commander-in-chief standing behind the podium. The press was notified late Wednesday that photographers would not be allowed in after the Iraq address, says J. David Ake, assistant chief of bureau for photos at the AP in Washington. Ake says no reason was given for the limited access.

via Romenesko

posted by Doran @ 3:40 PM