Twitter suspends accounts sharing images of journalist's alleged execution
Family asks for respect; New York Post cover draws outrage
Twitter CEO Dick Costolo announced on Wednesday that the company is suspending the accounts of users who post graphic images related to the alleged beheading of James Foley, the American photojournalist kidnapped in Syria nearly two years ago.
"We have been and are actively suspending accounts as we discover them related to this graphic imagery," Costolo tweeted. "Thank you."
We have been and are actively suspending accounts as we discover them related to this graphic imagery. Thank you https://t.co/jaYQBKVbBF
— dick costolo (@dickc) August 20, 2014
On Tuesday, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) posted a five-minute video of Foley's apparent execution to YouTube, leading to worldwide outrage.
Costolo's announcement followed an outcry by Twitter users calling for a media blackout of images connected to the execution after the video began showing up unannounced embedded in their feeds. (The hashtag #ISISMediaBlackout began trending shortly after the video's release.)
"Please honor James Foley and respect my family's privacy," Foley's sister Kelly Foley tweeted. "Don't watch the video. Don't share it. That's not how life should be."
Despite that request, on Wednesday, the New York Post's front page featured a still image from the video showing a masked ISIS militant holding a knife to Foley's throat above the headline, "SAVAGES."
The Post also tweeted an image of the cover, sparking even more outrage.
What the hell are you doing, @nypost?
— Matilda (@Dem_Tilly) August 20, 2014
Disgusting decision by @nypost to run that photo on their front page today. Business as usual, I see. #shameful
— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) August 20, 2014
@nypost I'd say there are some savages in your newsroom as well for choosing that cover.
— I Spy (@smackfairy) August 20, 2014
@nypost this is an unbelievably insensitive and shameful cover
— Adam (@G2_Blog) August 20, 2014
@nypost Take that picture down now. So disrespectful.
— Mary Stewart (@Mswilcat) August 20, 2014
@nypost And you are just as barbaric for posting that.
— Jamela Alindogan (@jamelaaisha) August 20, 2014
@nypost OMFG you should be ashamed of yourself @nypost totally disgusting to have this as your front page you are no better than them
— Shaz (@sgronnie) August 20, 2014
Pretty sure ISIS could not be happier with the New York Post's front page today.
— AdamSerwer (@AdamSerwer) August 20, 2014
Some users, however, supported the Post's decision, saying shock and awe is the only way to get Americans to pay attention.
@nypost it's about time ppl are "shocked" and "outraged" at what the Post did, however maybe you should re-direct ur real outrage at ISIS!!!
— Jeff Sullivan (@TheJeffSullivan) August 20, 2014
@nypost Thank you for putting this picture out there; Americans need to be shocked into understanding the seriousness of this situation
— Bill Young FOX 25 (@BillYoungFOX25) August 20, 2014
Others wondered whether Twitter would suspend the Post's Twitter feed for sharing the image.
Twitter says it is "actively suspending accounts" posting James Foley beheading images. Will it suspend @nypost? http://t.co/KXDRcyaKeo
— Neetzan Zimmerman (@neetzan) August 20, 2014
.@Twitter You should go ahead and suspend @NYPost while you're at it.
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) August 20, 2014
.@dickc it's time to suspend @nypost
— Michael Ip (@mikeip) August 20, 2014
@dickc @hackerfantastic cool Dick. Here's one for you. https://t.co/KuRaGtSVPr
— Fenrir (@semibogan) August 20, 2014
