7-Eleven Backtracks On Controversial ‘Rolling Stone’ Tsarnaev Issue

After Rolling Stone‘s Tsarnaev cover debuted this week, several companies refused to carry the issue. While 7-Eleven initially said they would still sell the issue in question, they have since backtracked and now refuse to carry it in stores across the country.

The latest Rolling Stone cover depicts Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is also the subject of the featured story. Critics have charged that the cover “glorifies” the suspect and, by extension, terrorism.

Supporters have said that Rolling Stone, in addition to being an entertainment magazine, also has a rich tradition of investigative journalism on political and social issues.

Since the Rolling Stone Tsarnaev cover started circulating online, many stores have opted to not carry the issue, including CVS, Walgreens, Kmart and Rite Aid. While 7-Eleven originally said that it would sell the controversial issue, they have since changed their minds.

Company spokeswoman Margaret Chabris wrote an email to The Huffington Post on Thursday, explaining that company-operated stores will not carry the issue, and that they have encouraged franchisees to drop it as well.

On Wednesday, Rolling Stone released a statement defending the cover:

“Our hearts go out to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, and our thoughts are always with them and their families. The cover story we are publishing this week falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone’s long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day. The fact that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is young, and in the same age group as many of our readers, makes it all the more important for us to examine the complexities of this issue and gain a more complete understanding of how a tragedy like this happens.”

What do you think of Rolling Stone‘s Tsarnaev cover? Should stores refuse to carry the controversial issue?