No conceivable journalistic public interest in publishing New Zealand shooter’s video says Steven Barnett

Following the tragic events in New Zealand on 15th March, where a gunman live streamed himself opening fire in a New Zealand mosque killing 50 people, the media faced the a dilemma of how to report the hate-filled attack without glorifying the alleged perpetrator or helping spread his message. In an article for CNN, by Hadas Gold, CAMRI’s Professor Steven Barnett stated that he vehemently disagreed with publishing any part of the New Zealand shooter’s video. “I understand there are journalistic imperatives here” Barnett told CNN, “but it is possible to report on what went on. The journalists can watch the footage and report on it.” Barnett went on to say that he feared that showing the video was “about generating more readers and online hits. There is no conceivable journalistic public interest in defying the desperate requests from the authorities in New Zealand and to continue publishing this stuff. It’s evil.” These are comments that were echoed in Professor Christian Fuchs‘ interview with Sky News on the evening of the attack.

The full article from CNN can be found on their website.

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