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LETTER
Should we see them dead?
20/04/2006 14:23 - (SA)
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| Suspects of the murder at Wynberg Magistrate's Court. (Esa Alexander, Die Burger) |
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Tori Foxcroft
Early on Sunday morning the slain naked bodies of Crazy Monkey actor Brett Goldin and his friend and fashion designer, Richard Bloom, were found side by side in a field next to the off-ramp between the M5 and Klipfontein Road in Cape Town.
The father of one of the men in whose possession Brett Goldin's credit card was allegedly found, described the killing as "inhumane", and police later confirmed that the two men had been shot "execution style".
Following the "mysterious" and horrendous murder of these two men, several newspapers carried front-page photos of the men's naked corpses.
This led News24 to pose the question in a poll: "Did newspapers go too far in printing pictures of the naked corpses of Brett Goldin and Richard Bloom?" The probing question was asked in an attempt to find out how users felt about the issue.
Suffice it to say, the vote left News24 users divided, with 54% of its users saying that it was insensitive and sensational of the papers to publish the photos, and the other 46% feeling that the publication of these horrific photos conveyed the true horror of the crime. Clearly, opinion on this matter is at odds.*
Against publication
The majority of News24 users are against the publication of photos of Goldin and Bloom as the graphic images, they believe, show absolutely no respect for the deceased men's friends or family:
I think it was in bad light showing the photos of the two naked bodies. Their family members would not like to remember them like that. How would you like to see dead naked bodies of your family members? - Effendit
No mother should have to see a picture of her son's dead body plastered across the front page of a national newspaper like that! - Faminnie
Other users would love to know if the editors of the respective newspapers actually consulted the family members of the deceased, and believe that this is paramount when publishing such traumatic photos:
It comes down to ethics... DID you or DIDNT you consult the families? - Dale
The rest of those against the publication of these photos felt that they were published purely for shock value, and used by the media as a way for the newspapers to make money.
I was utterly disgusted and sickened that a newspaper would dare to show their naked bodies lying at the place where they were murdered for everyone to see. How dare you disrespect them and their families in such a way - Marchand
As News24 user Julian Faasen suggested, people are intrigued and feed off daily news alerts like a sordid soap opera. The media use "shocking pictures to shock the public and to lock their interest in the case for as long as possible. Where is the respect for these men, and is it all for market value?".
His sentiments were echoed by another user.
Newspapers know that showing gratuitous photographs sells more copies. The more sensational and boundary-pushing, the better. There is little thought spared for the victims, their families or the hundreds of thousands of other victims of crime in this country." - Jyoti
For publication
Of course, there are always two sides to every argument, and many of News24's users strongly backed the editorial, but perhaps not quite so ethical decision, of the respective newspapers to publish the photos.
I think having 'grim reality' exposed for what it truly is, can act as a wake-up call to the vast majority of the public 'sheeple' that government would prefer to regard us as. I remember in the seventies, Singapore instituted a series of shocking photographs of road accidents, twisted and torn bodies of women and children involved in road carnage, shown in every police station in the country. Within months the R/A death tolll was reduced dramatically - Martin L Hedington.
Another user, 'Jrobberts', argued that it's good that the naked photos were shown because South Africa is really becoming a sick and unhealthy high crime country, and the photos taken illustrate the lawlessness we have to deal with every day.
Photos such as these, should also be published so that everyone can see what is happening in SA, others argued.
I also agree that we need to be able to "SEE" the crime in order to hopefully get the FULL effect of just how HORRIFIC it is & not just turn a blind eye. - Anna
Thank you Son and Voice for personifying the "Voice" of the dead, slain in a gut retching manner, and revealing the "Naked Brutal Truth" of a society filled with unwell repulsive humans such as alleged accused. They need to be dealt with in a FIRM approach. - Angelo150
Questions still abound about the killing of actor Brett Goldin and fashion fundi Richard Bloom, even though eight men have been arrested and six have appeared in court.
*Information taken from vote at time of publication.
- News24
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