Conservative group Judicial Watch sues for release of Osama bin Laden death photos

The conservative interest group Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Defense (DOD) seeking photographs and video recordings from the U.S. military raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

"The American people have a right to know, by law, basic information about the killing of Osama bin Laden," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. "Incredibly, the Obama administration told us that it has no plans to comply with the Freedom of Information law, so we must now go to court."

The group describes itself as a conservative foundation that promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in government.

"President Obama’s not wanting to ‘spike the football’ is not a lawful basis for withholding government documents," Fitton added. "This historic lawsuit should remind the Obama administration that it is not above the law."

President Barack Obama told CBS that he will not release post-mortem photos of Osama bin Laden to dispel conspiracy theories, warning the graphic images could be used as a propaganda tool.

The Associated Press and other news organizations have officially taken the position that Obama should release visual proof of Osama bin Laden's death. AP senior managing editor Michael Oreskes said that by refusing to release the photos, the White House was essentially deciding what is and is not newsworthy.