German Journalist Federation Warns Media over Diana Images

The German Journalist's Federation (DJV) has joined the growing number of international press associations in condemning the use of images screened on U.S. television on Wednesday which allegedly showed Diana, Princess of Wales, as she lay dying in the wreck of her Mercedes in a Paris underpass.

The broadcasting of the pictures, as part of an investigative report into the Princess's death in 1997 in the CBS show "48 Hours Investigates", was "not responsible journalism," according to DJV chairperson Michael Konken who warned the German media not to follow suit and show the images.

Konken called the decision by CBS "an unambiguous offence against the press code" during a press conference in Berlin on Thursday and stressed that human dignity stands above the need of viewers and readers for information. He also warned that any use of the images as part of articles condemning the CBS report would be just as offensive.

Breaking taboos should not be a marketing tool

Konken also demanded that the policy of breaking taboos should not be employed as a calculated marketing instrument by publishing companies wanting to improve circulation or viewing figures. The DJV chairman concluded by saying any German organization pursuing such an action would face a reprimand from the German press council.

The black and white photos of Diana and her lover Dodi Al Fayed were taken shortly after the accident on August 31, 1997. In the images, an unconscious Diana is being attended to by a doctor who attempts to resuscitate her through the wreckage of her limousine. Two hours later, Diana died in a Paris clinic. Al Fayed and the driver Henri Paul were also killed. The pictures are part of a confidential 4,000-page accident report compiled by French investigators.

CBS defends journalistic context

On Thursday, CBS spokesperson Sandra Genelius once again defended the decision to show the pictures as the outrage spread around the globe. The spokesperson reiterated that the pictures were shown in the context of an interview with the doctor seen treating Diana at the time as illustrations to accompany his statements. The pictures were shown "in a journalistic context - an examination of the medical treatment given Diana after the crash," Genelius said.

The spokesperson added that it was not the intention of CBS for the pictures to be seen outside the United States. However, there have been rumors that the pictures had been offered to a number of newspapers before CBS secured the images and aired them.

The statements from the U.S. broadcaster in the immediate wake of the show on Wednesday night did little to placate the press in Britain where Diana remains an icon almost seven years after her death. The fact that someone had crossed the line and showed the first pictures of the dying princess caused outrage in the British press.

British press united in outrage

The Guardian wrote that CBS had "plumb new depths of prurience in the Princess Diana industry" while the tabloid Daily Mirror called the airing of the pictures "hideous, horrible and offensive" and The Sun described them as "horrific."

Reactions from public figures mined the same vein. While Clarence House, the office of Diana's former husband, Prince Charles, and her two sons, declined to comment, royal-watchers expressed concern for the princess' sons William, 21 (photo) and Harry, 19. "It's going to be painful for William and Harry," former Buckingham Palace spokesman Dickie Arbiter told BBC Radio. "They're young men now. They're going to have to live with it for the rest of their lives."

Buckingham Palace, which speaks on behalf of Diana's sons, said it would not comment on the CBS pictures, but did not hide its displeasure. "We've made our opinion very clear in the past on this sort of thing and we won't be commenting specifically."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair also expressed his distaste. Asked about the matter at his monthly news conference, Blair told reporters: "I think everyone finds it distasteful that there are pictures that can cause distress to the family."

Princess's family sickened by images

A brief statement released on behalf of Diana's brother said "Lord Spencer and his family are shocked and sickened by CBS' actions."

Dodi Fayed's father, Mohamed al Fayed, said CBS had behaved in "disgraceful and insensitive" manner. "CBS obviously don't care about the appalling effect of showing images of murder victims," said Fayed, who has long insisted that Diana and his son were murdered. A lengthy French investigation concluded the crash was an accident caused by drunk and speeding driver Paul.