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Kuwait News

Should newspapers publish graphic images?

There’s a very disturbing picture on Page 8 of today’s issue of Arab Times. I’ve taken a screenshot from their online edition and pix-elated the disturbing part which is the victim of the car accident lying dead next to the car.

I thought publishing the photo was really inappropriate but the more I thought about the subject the more confused about it I became. Should newspapers publish graphic images? Inappropriate or not, I think they should be allowed to publish whatever they please.

Update: Photo removed by request from the family of the victim

78 replies on “Should newspapers publish graphic images?”

Aside from arguing if they are free to publish a picture of a mauled dead person who can have no say in the matter or not, I think that’s not the issue.

Its distateful. Its horrific. Not everyone can handle watching such a picture. There is enough crap in newspapers to cause a person to want to hang himself. Adding gruesome pictures of bloody corpses doesn’t help matters especially if there was not alert. Had I seen this picture I would have felt sick, scared, and disturbed. I wouldn’t want to see it.

What if a relative of the dead person had seen it, or a dear friend? I think common decency and respect for the dead is a factor in what should be published. They can publish it? Maybe. They should publish it? I don’t think so.

I’m with Danderma, it’s distasteful, personally, I’d rather not see it, an article on a car accident is hard enough to read in Kuwait what with the inappropriate wording etc but to see that- no- I don’t think like TV newspapers should he allowed to post what they want, at least Sky News will say ‘the following report contains graphic images’- you then have the option to change the channel…. Unfortunately during breakfast with a mouth full of omelette, you don’t have that option whilst reading the paper…. You just turn the page and BAM there’s a dead body in front of you…. Not good. You also can’t ‘child proof’ a newspaper… What if a kid lifted that up? That’s traumatizing.

Boys dont worry i just checked the original photo on the newspaper and it doesnt look graphically violent like that mark dude says.

Oh and its a guy laying down with no flesh scattered around, he seems alive to me. These newspapers have standard for publishing any images, dont think they are absent minded please.

I actually know the guy in this picture, and he isn’t alive. He died on impact. Whether its graphically violent or not, his family and friends can see this picture. This should be illegal. No one wants to see their dead son sprawled on the street.

Something small on the front page indicating there are graphic images inside may not be a bad idea. I sometimes read the paper with my 4-year-old. She really doesn’t need to see that. In general, I agree with you about allowing publishers to publish what they please.

Should a 4-year old watch the news on tv? I mean the newspaper isn’t rated R for Adults or G for children, if anything it’s more like a PG-13 rating.

Kids for sure should not watch news nowadays with all the fighting and blood. I don’t get it why they sensor kissing but allow killing on tv? Just doesn’t make sense! There were cases of kids who die trying to copy suicide in movies and shows. So yes it does affect some.

It’s a spectrum actually

Middle East: Violence is ok on TV, kissing is not

US: Some violence is ok, some sexuality is ok

Europe: You can show naked people on TV but you can’t show a guy with a gun

I would not want to open the newspaper while having breakfast and see a dead bloddy body. Its just too much, and very unfortunate that they would put a picture like that in the paper.

If that’s the case today’s arabtimes front page has a syrian girl’s picture….that’s horrendous from all aspects…

I think it’s a horrendous trend that seems to be popular with newspapers here. I’ve seen even worse on front pages. Saying that it’s their right is one thing, but these papers are on show across the country and the papers plaster this crap on front pages which are well within the view of children. For a country with so much censorship, I find it strange that there is so little concern for what children may see. I completely agree that it’s awful for the families and friends of the deceased, injured, whatever the case may be. Thinking that this shock/gore factor will boost sales is ignorant and simplistic, and I wish they’d concentrate on improving the actual content instead.

I completely agree and it’s something I’ve noticed and been upset about for some time. In the States, sometimes graphic photos are printed inside the paper but they intentionally refrain from printing them on the front page because there is no way to prevent a child from seeing the front page.

thats the point of journalism and photojournlism. it has to be news and the photo has to be eye catching. journalism 101.they dont give a … about what people think.

In this same issue, on the front page, there’s a haunting picture, a closeup of a dead Syrian girl. I understand why they’d publish it, but on the front page? Eh…

WHAT IF A small kid opens the news paper ???
is it good for a 3 or 5 or 10 years old kid to see this ????
this is has nothing to do WITH FREEDOM OF PRESS. this is invading my privacy and my kids privacy

are you suggesting that we rush and scan our daily morning paper prior to leaving it on the coffee table for reading later?… it might not be a 3 year old kid.. what about a 10 year old that perhaps wants to start a routine new paper reading habit? what do you suggest – the kid better get used to seeing reality this way?

Your children’s privacy? You are buying the newspaper.. Maybe privacy isn’t the word you mean to use. As far as they are concerned, you should use the newspaper correctly by not showing it to kids, especially with controversial news of rape and theft all over it. It is like selling you a lighter and being responsible for the arson you attempt.

how is it invading your privacy? theyre not breaking down your door and holding you down forcefully making you buy and read their paper.

I think they should be able to publish these things but should use translucent tape to cover up gore like AlRai did when they published Suzan Tameem’s severed head on the front page. Especially with car accidents, such images can act as deterrents but, of course, I don’t want my 5 year old seeing them. The tape thing could be expensive though.

At least the newspaper didn’t publish the name, but you did. I don’t know what’s worse.

Picture (no editing) + no names vs. edited picture with full name.

I think it is about time Arab Times posted something as horrific. Arab Times posts about traffic accidents daily. And seeing the reckless and wild driving of Kuwait, I think people should learn a lesson.

I think they should DEFINITELY be entitled to their “Freedom of Speech/press” BUT should at least censor the person’s FACE out of respect. If posting these type of photos can get people to stop driving like idiots to protect the rest of us from becoming collateral damage, then PLEASE be my guest. And yes, youngsters should watch the news. They NEED TO KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN THE WORLD SO THEY DON’T GROW UP BLIND & IGNORANT. And no, I’m not talking about 3 year olds here…

Welcome to the Internet, where you can find everything with just one click. There’s even a website (YouTube, or so…), where you can watch the most graphic films and images of victims of badly hurt- and dead people due to all kind of accidents and wars. These clips have much more viewers then any article in a newspaper, which can only dream about such numbers of viewers.

That’s the reason why newspapers are fighting a commercial war with the internet and have their own moral priciples thrown overboard. In vain of course. Newspapers are ‘so 2000’ and basically the dinosaurs of the media world.

Though not ethical, but a reality which only a fool will try to stop. Don Quichotte, maybe?

If you don’t want your children watching these disturbing images, then get rid of the subscription on -the newspaper, -the internet, -television, -your mobile device and listen only to the radio for actual information.

It’s called “sensationalism” and ethical newspapers don’t do it to sell copies. The Arab Times has branded itself as a rag by using these kind of photos/tactics. If they had any journalistic integrity, they wouldn’t print these types of photos. It’s vulgar and disgusting.

Have respect for the dead.
Have equal respect for the families of the dead.

And thank YOU, Mark, for having the standards to pixelize the photo before you posted it; which is what the newspaper should have done in the first place.

Rest in peace, Ali Al-Qallaf, and I’m saying a special prayer tonight for your mother.

You can’t censor the gore out of life. It’s not a fake or doctored photo. It’s the bleak reality of life in Kuwait. It’s great that the photo elicits a reaction of disgust. Every second driver in Kuwait uses his cell phone while driving. Maybe if the image stuck, it would make us better drivers. I think our discourse should shift to the bigger picture (no pun intended).

If gorey pictures made a difference in the world we’d all be living in peace right now. Like someone mentioned above, the Internet is filled to the brim with gorey photos from horrible car accidents, murders and war, what difference does it make?

Hi Patrick. I believe that images are potent. As far as world peace goes I think there are too many other factors at play for us to go there. I think its great that you have such an objection to the image. It just shows that you havent been desensitized, I think if more people start to pay attention we can move beyond insular views to address larger issues.

I have to say the posting of such an image in a newspaper in my mind is not an issue. The issue i have is that of the persons face being shown. This i believe is very harsh, as said before, if a family member or friend were to come across this article it would be devastating. However that being said with the amount of car accidents in Kuwait i think the press have a right to show us the reality of our actions when we talk on our phones. Shock tactics is the only way kuwait will wake up to its adolecent driving ways, as nothing i have seen has worked. If that is the way to get it done, so be it. The uk use shock tactics in their drink driving adevrtising all the time, on tv or the newspaper.

Jopefly this pictures make people say “HEY this could be me” and they become careful while driving. It is sad to place the victim as an example but its the good for the rest of us. May god bless his soul and may her rests in peace.
Drive carefuly people please for the sale of youselves and youre families.
God bless
Regards
Ali

Dear Mark,

Out of respect to the family and friends of the deceased may you please remove this post, so as not to bring anymore attention to the photos published in the Arab Times.

Not that this is anything against Mark, but more people read the Arab Times than 248am so removing it from here is pointless.

What’s wrong with publishing such pic? There are accidents this bad, that unfortunately kills and injures so many. It’s a harsh reminder and a warning that we all need to be careful and drive cautiously.

And yes, considering the feelings of the family of the deceased and as respect to the dead, only the face pic could be blurred. It’s really horrific to see people driving so fast that they actually pose a threat to those around them.

Well its a controversial topic.
Firstly if u chack arab times news paper about 3 days ago u will find the award winning picture selected in france. It showed an 11 year old afghani girl screaming moments after a suicide blast that killed 70 people (including her some of her family members). Those dead bodies were visible in the picture as well. It honestly was a very moving picture mainly because of the gruesomeness. Its purpose was to shed light on the violence and i believe it did its job.

I used to think that newspapers should show everything but now that I am working in one I realized that it’s insensitive and the same thing applies to those who post pictures online. Whenever someone dies and we get a picture of them dead it was mentioned that it was insensitive and bad to use so I kind of now understand that more about it.

I was pissed off recently at the number of blogs who posted the picture of Sameer Saeed on his death bed with all the equipment there and then saying “RIP” but seriously they were not really sharing the sentiment coz I felt it was done in poor taste. Imagine you being a family member, a friend, or whomever u are and seeing that picture when you weren’t there. I was once in a hospital with a friend who lost her grandmother and saw how it was insanely emotional and how it was hard on them.. thus this has always become a no-no to publish.

Thanks for bringing it up and Arab Times is the trashiest worst English newspaper in the region to tell you the truth.. The layout in itself is the worst, a story within a story within a story within a story. :s

How ironic. They sensor lady gaga, ban our books and movies yet show us gruesome pics of accidents.

Pathetic

Maybe pics like this at least contributes to more drivers wearing a seatbelt (95% in Q8 are not) and makespeople think twice before SMSing while driving!!!!

Othman. Have a good look around you and stop being in denial. I have seen on numerous occasions where parents allow their children to stand on the passenger seat, some looking out the sunroof. The only reason why most people wear them is because of the constant beep in some cars when not wearing them.

I really think that car accidents shouldn’t be published in newspapers! I have read lots of newspapers from the Gulf region and I think Kuwait is the only country that publishes car accidents. If I was in a car accident I wouldn’t want my car to be in the newspaper.

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking about. Yesterday’s Arab Times had a picture of a DEAD girl on the front page. They really need to be more responsible and avoid graphic/dead pictures. Children read the newspapers too.

If anybody wants to petition Arab Times to prohibit graphic and images of dead people, you can count on my signature!

PS: For people who say children do not read the newspaper – they have a comics and sports section! I used to skip the news and read them both when I was in junior school and I’m sure others do too.

With all do respect to the dead person and his family and friends, i think that posting pictures like this is actually a good thing, so other people could see just what really crazy driving and carelessness leads to. Allah yir7ma

What is more distressing, publishing a photo of a traffic accident or the fact that NOTHING is being done to prevent people driving like maniacs?

The result?

Road traffic accidents are the number one killer in Kuwait (2011-2012).

And many drivers feel it is their right to tail gate, push in, speed etc….

Some people do not have their priorities in order.

No. I honestly doesn’t see how it’s necessary, it’s sensationalism. It has already been pointed out that the victim’s family may not wish for the image to be published, plus I don’t think we need to see the picture of the body to understand. It’s a car wreck – couldn’t they have just photographed the car? It’s not about freedom of press, because I don’t think they should be legally banned from doing so, but I do think they should use that power responsibly. The question is, “what does this add and is it truly necessary?”, and I don’t see this particular photo adding anything. I also agree that violent photos should not be on the front page and a warning would be nice. Newspapers tend to be displayed so that anyone can see the front.

Sensationalism seems to be the only way to sell newspapers. They have to compete with Internet and TV and the only way it seems is to publish sensational stuff. Today it is the body of a deceased person who passed away in a horrific accident. What next?

I can’t figure out the make of that car but either the car has absolutely no safety features what so ever – which is why it was cleaved in half by the pole – or it was going at such a high velocity that the impact caused such damage.

Either way, its tragic.

No, graphic photos like this shouldn’t be posted or published as I don’t believe it’s a detterent.

It simply satisfies a sick innate curiosity; rather like rubbernecking when on the road and passing by an accident.

It’s definitely not in good taste and out of respect for family, friends, and sensitive people, there should be an agreement not to post or publish graphic images. It’s bad enough reading or hearing about distressing news.

In addition, one can’t simply assume anything about the driver may his soul rest in peace. Driving in Kuwait is like being in a war zone at the best of times and even if you’re a good driver, you can’t say the same of others on the road.

Wishing peace and strength for his parents and brothers at this difficult time.

Another day another idiot tailgating me down 30. He overtakes me using the hard shoulder and almost crashes into the car in front. Then cut across 3 lanes of traffic to exit into Mishrif.

People like this will kill people on the roads. They need to banned from driving. As long as they are not I will be ashamed to be Kuwaiti.

For the public audience, it’s generally a good idea to “soften” the graphic images, since I can handle it for example but someone else will faint when they a drop of blood.

And yet posting a picture of a girl in a bikini or showing people kissing is harram but this isn’t? lol such inconsistency and picking and choosing.

Anyways, I think if they just blurred the face it would be fine. Yeah its gruesome but its reality.

As a person who has been in and known people dying in horrific accidents – I’m on the fence. I do believe that it’s not cool for kids to be able to see these images. However, the news is about reality. I think it’s possible to show something like this, and it not be completely sensational – but it’s about the newspaper, and how well it’s run and about the integrity/soul of what they decide to print.

I can take blood and gore – it serves as a reality check that people do die from accidents, war, etc. It’s about the tastes of the particular cultural sensibilities the paper serves.

As it partains to driving – they need to basically retrain everyone in Kuwait, so that driving is more uniform. Everyone believes they are driving the right way – but they are mostly driving according to where they are from. Also – unless the traffic police are going to do more than sit near an underpass, and play on their iPhones……then no change can truly enforced.

I wondered the same thing when I saw the picture of the Egyptian guy killed by the mob on the front page of one of Kuwaits newspapers some two and a half years ago.
Freedom of expression means they have the right to publish it, however, respecting our freedom of choice in deciding what we would like to be exposed to means they should either cover the page up or publish the graphic picture within the inside pages which is the case here.
Hard to say what is appropriate or not any more, I saw graphic pictures covered up in the US/UK..isn’t there a regulation on displaying pornographic material also? Not sure.

Put it on a billboard. It might make people slow down when they see the damage that speed causes to themselves and their loved ones. Anyone looking at that image would be naive not to think speed was a factor in the crash.

My only concern is their families are looking at these pictures. but it is a very strong msg for all the idiots who speed with wreckless driving

Professional, descent journalism is died in this country. Once they fine and punish journalists in the country the better we’ll be off.

Gore or not I’ve known the person in the picture for 25 years. He is my brother. Think about opening up the paper and having to see your brother laying on the ground dead. Write back when that happens so I can get your exact feelings then!

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