Reference News Network, March 14 report: According to the U.S. "Washington Post" website on March 11, according to two informed sources, the U.S. Department of Defense has banned news photographers from attending press briefings on U.S.-Israel and Iran military conflicts, because previously the photographers had released photos of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Pentagon staff considered these photos "unflattering".
On March 2, several media outlets including Associated Press, Reuters, and Getty Images sent photojournalists to attend a briefing by Austin and General Dan K. Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
However, after the photojournalists released those photos, Austin's aides told colleagues that they did not like the image of the Defense Secretary in the photos. According to two informed sources, Austin's aides decided that subsequent briefings held by the Pentagon on March 4 and 10 would no longer allow photojournalists to attend.
It is currently unclear which specific photo or the overall presentation of all the photos taken that day caused the anxiety and unease among Austin's staff.
The National Press Photographers Association, an organization advocating for the rights of photojournalists, issued a statement condemning the Department of Defense's decision and called on the Pentagon to restore the right of the prohibited photojournalists to attend the reporting. The organization also stated that retaliatory actions against photojournalists have raised new concerns about the First Amendment of the Constitution.
The president of the association, Alex Garcia, said: "Excluding photojournalists from Pentagon press conferences because officials don't like the appearance of individuals in published photos indicates an alarming lack of awareness of priorities during wartime. It is unseemly for a public official." (Translated by Wang Qun)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7617015542917956148/
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