Media are boycotting Obama-approved photos

A movement is underway by major media organizations to no longer use images of President Obama provided by White House photographers.

Obama's administration has limited the availability of journalist photographers in many settings, igniting a strong reaction from media organizations that argue propaganda extends beyond the print and into the lens as well.

The following is an excerpt from a letter hand- delivered to Obama's press secretary:

"Journalists are routinely being denied the right to photograph or videotape the President while he is performing his official duties. As surely as if they were placing a hand over a journalist's camera lens, officials in this administration are blocking the public from having an independent view of important functions of the executive branch of government. To be clear, we are talking about Presidential activities of a fundamentally public nature. To be equally clear, we are not talking about open access to the residence or to areas restricted, for example, for national security purposes.

The apparent reason for closing certain events to photographers is that these events have been deemed "private." That rationale, however, is undermined when the White House ... releases its own photograph of a so-called private event through social media. The restrictions imposed by the White House on photographers covering these events, followed by the routine release by the White House of photographs made by government employees of these same events, is an arbitrary restraint and unwarranted interference on legitimate newsgathering activities. You are, in effect, replacing independent photojournalism with visual news releases."

The letter, signed by 38 news organizations, went on to list seven events since July where media has been excluded. These include meetings with other political and world leaders.

This is a president who promised transparency when he took office. This is a president who presents himself in interviews as an easygoing, as a work-it-out-over-a-beer common man. In reality, Obama has shown himself as aggressive and controlling. This is just one example, even minor, compared to his willingness to bend the role of the executive branch in changing and creating new laws.

The Southeast Missourian joins the ranks of the much larger media organizations that will refrain from running White House photos until more access is permitted to the news media.