The atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel this week must be known to the world. So too must the victims be revealed and honored. But how do we express empathy without augmenting the terror?
In the interest of accurate reporting, news organizations feel obliged to offer eyewitness accounts, warning viewers that the video "may be disturbing." This approach, while valuable in the interest of truth, seems to comply with the goal of the terrorists. Horrific videos (shown repeatedly) amplify the terror, ensuring that many viewers will remain glued to the coverage.
It seems to me that news organizations can provide details without fueling the terror. Emphasis should be placed on the victims not on the atrocities unleashed by those who want to instill fear among the public (local or distant). And while I applaud the courage of photojournalists, we need not see our celebrity broadcasters in helmets to understand the acute and long term ramifications of this inhumane attack.
See also: Voyeurs of Tragedy
