Rolling Stone has defended their most recent cover , which features an image of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Critics have lambasted the magazine for “glorifying” the perpetrator, but editors say that they’re just observing the “traditions of journalism.”
The cover story describes Dzhokhar Tsarnaev as “a charming kid with a bright future,” and lamenting that “no one saw the pain he was hiding or the monster he would become.”
Click to the original article now, and you’re greeted with this editor statement defending Rolling Stone ‘s Tsarnaev 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.”
This statement is an apparent response to the almost universal criticism the magazine has gotten from the cover.
Roling Stone covers have long been iconic, having featured magnetic images of some of the music industry’s top personalities including Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison and Jay-Z. But the new one is different in that it features “The Bomber,” a suspected terrorist.
Critics say that the cover dangerously glorifies the Boston suspect. Many celebrities have also been critical of the cover on Twitter, including Tommy Lee, John Rich and Jack Osbourne.
Really @RollingStone ? Wtff!!! pic.twitter.com/kpAPZKt3Oc
— T O M M Y L E E (@MrTommyLand) July 17, 2013
You always think as an artist “If I ever get on the Rolling Stone I’ll know I’ve made it!” That was until they started promoting terrorists. — John Rich (@johnrich) July 17, 2013
disgusting!!! this is exactly why these fuck heads commit terrorism so they can get the recognition they so desire. http://t.co/8iTWqQp41A — Jack Osbourne (@MrJackO) July 17, 2013
Osbourne has even attempted to start a campaign to either boycott Rolling Stone over the cover or to at least get them to donate profits on the issue to the Boston victims. He also doesn’t buy the editor statement above.
rolling stones excuse is totally BS. “Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is young and in the same age group as many of our readers…” http://t.co/RS1UmTwLuY
— Jack Osbourne (@MrJackO) July 17, 2013
Read Rolling Stone ‘s Tsarnaev piece and let us know what you think. Was the cover in poor taste? Does it glorify the terror suspect?