CNN defies Pentagon pictures plea

The American television network CNN yesterday defied Pentagon requests not to show video footage of dead and captured American servicemen and women. The move came as Arab television stations replayed the footage on an endless loop.

A spokeswoman for the Pentagon said yesterday that American networks had been requested not to show any of the footage as soon as it became available on Sunday. She said that request still held yesterday. But CNN said that they would air "brief audio and video footage" while trying to avoid images that would distress relatives.

"Out of respect for the families and consistent with the principles of the Geneva conventions, we request news organisations not air or publish recognisable images or audio recordings that identify PoWs," said the Pentagon request.

Most western broadcasters acceded to requests from the Pentagon to hold back until relatives of the soldiers had been informed. But as the names leaked out or relatives identified themselves, brief passages of the footage were shown. CNN said it had decided to air stills or brief clips despite the Pentagon request.

CNN presenter Judy Woodruff said: "Frankly, coverage of their treatment is an important part of the coverage of the war."

The Arab channel, al-Jazeera, put the images onthe air as soon as they were available.

Sky News was the first British broadcaster to run the pictures; BBC News 24 followed, although the corporation held off from transmitting them on its international service, BBC World, which is available in the US. ITN used still pictures.