The Memory Hole's scoop

A small Web site called The Memory Hole scooped every major media organization in the world last week when it published 288 pictures of coffins of Iraq war dead at Dover Air Force Base, Del., along with 73 photos of the coffins of astronauts from the space shuttle Columbia. The Memory Hole had filed a freedom of information request asking for "all photographs showing caskets (or other devices) containing the remains of U.S. military personnel at Dover A.F.B." from Feb. 1, 2003 - the day Columbia crashed - to the present. Big kudos to The Memory Hole.

Along with the publication of a similar photo by The Seattle Times a few days earlier, the publication has sparked a public debate about whether it's appropriate for the Pentagon to withhold such photos, as has been its policy in the past. Pentagon officials are now reviewing their policy to see whether it is in conflict with the Freedom of Information Act.

If anyone doubts the power of independent journalists to make a difference -- and offer legitimate competition to major media organizations -- The Memory Hole's scoop should serve as a good wake-up call.

Apr 30, 2004 | E-MAIL | SAVE | PRINT | PERMALINK | DISCUSS(0)

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