AP: We Won't Distribute Photos From "Burn a Koran" Day

Regardless of what you may think about the Florida pastor's crazy Koran-burning stunt planned for Saturday, wouldn't it seem logical to you that such an act with the worldwide attention it has gotten would be a newsworthy event?  The AP doesn't think so:

In recent days, the national media has excessively covered a fringe Florida pastor's decision to burn Qurans on September 11. The press frenzy has raised questions about news organizations' responsibilities to cover the news while possibly giving unwarranted publicity to an anti-Islamic stunt.

Some network spokespeople told The Upshot earlier that it's too early to decide on which images would not be broadcast, given that the actual event is two days away. But the Associated Press has now decided to "not distribute images or audio that specifically show Qurans being burned, and will not provide detailed text descriptions of the burning." (The memo was first posted on the media industry news site Romenesko).

Tom Kent, the AP's deputy managing editor for standards and production, told staff Thursday that while the AP will cover the Gainesville, Florida event organized by pastor Terry Jones, it's important to "plac[e] the actions of this group of about 50 people in a clear and balanced context."

Since when has the AP been concerned about "clear and balanced context"? Many are describing this decision as cowardly and I have a hard time disagreeing. I'm not in favor of the Koran burning stunt, but when a major media site refuses the cover the central part of the incident you have to wonder if they've already surrendered to radical Islam.

UPDATE:  Fox News won't cover what could be the biggest story of the week either.  Amazing.  If some network wants big, big ratings all they need to do is send a camera crew.  Looks like they'll have the story all to themselves.