Washington, D.C. – This week, the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) announced its support of H.R. 6662, the Fallen Hero Commemoration Act, legislation introduced July 30th by Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC). The bill would permit media coverage of military commemoration ceremonies and memorial services conducted by the United States Armed Forces for service members who have died on active duty, and the arrival of the remains of fallen service members at military installations in the United States.

In a letter to Congressman Jones, NPPA President Bob Carey wrote:

“As a resident of North Carolina and president of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), I would like to thank you and your colleagues for your introduction of H.R. 6662, the ‘Fallen Hero Commemoration Act.’”

“The NPPA represents almost 10,000 still and video journalists throughout the United States. For over 60 years our organization has been dedicated to the advancement of photojournalism. NPPA encourages photojournalists to reflect high standards of quality in their professional performance and in their personal code of ethics. NPPA vigorously promotes freedom of the press in all its forms. We are painfully aware that the Department of Defense currently prohibits media coverage of these somber ceremonies [conducted by the United States Armed Forces for service members who have died on active duty], which in turn bars the public from those images as well.”

“My father was an Army Major, having spent over 27 years in the military. I was raised on military bases and have a tremendous respect and understanding of the U.S. military. I was taught at an early age that members of our Armed Forces protect our freedoms and they should not be taken for granted. As a part of war, members of the military must sacrifice their lives for our freedoms. Now as a photo journalist and educator, my role is to teach the youth of today the importance of our freedoms. I can state unequivocally that my colleagues mean no disrespect to the uniform or the families when we have covered these moving events.”

“The NPPA wholeheartedly supports H.R. 6662, the ‘Fallen Hero Commemoration Act.’”

Although the freedom of the press is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution, the DoD stopped permitting media coverage of the return of the remains of fallen service members in 1991, during the Persian Gulf War. Since then, several exceptions to the ban on media coverage have been permitted. In 1996, the media was granted access to Dover Air Force Base to photograph the arrival and transfer ceremony for the remains of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and 32 other Americans killed when their plane crashed in Croatia. And, in 2002, the media was permitted to photograph the transfer of flag-draped caskets at Ramstein Air Force Base that carried the remains of four U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan. In 2003, however, the DoD expanded the no-media policy to what it is today by stating: “There will be no arrival ceremonies for, or media coverage of, deceased military personnel returning or departing from Ramstein Air Base or Dover Air Force Base.”