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Le Monde newspaper has stopped publishing the names and images of terrorists
Le Monde newspaper has decided to stop publishing the names and photographs of terrorists. Tony Roberts would like the Guardian to follow suit. Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP
Le Monde newspaper has decided to stop publishing the names and photographs of terrorists. Tony Roberts would like the Guardian to follow suit. Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Time to stop publishing photos and names of terrorists

This article is more than 7 years old

One of the most persuasive of all metaphors – however cliched– is the “oxygen of publicity”. We all know that press coverage of terrorist attacks plays into the hands of terrorists by publicising their activities. We also know that the seedier element of the national press has, for generations, demonised murderers and exploited victims for the sake of sales, and defended its behaviour by arguing that the people have a right to know, that it is in the national interest to inform them. Surely there comes a point – even at a time of declining sales and fierce competition from other media – when the press matures and accepts its position, which currently comes down to unintended collusion with terrorism. The right of the public to be informed is a morally shoddy argument in light of the exposure it offers the enemy.

There is no suggestion here that the British press should cover up the truth. The events of terrorist outrages themselves must still be reported. It is also immaterial that photos and names of the perpetrators will appear on social media. The point is that a principled press must show the way. I urge the Guardian to set an example by following Le Monde’s lead in self-censorship and refuse to publish photos and names of terrorists (Report, 28 July).
Tony Roberts
Manchester

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