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Front Page Talking Points

FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 22, 2013

Rolling Stone cover photo of accused Boston bomber provokes wide criticism

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1.gifFind an example of celebrity coverage that definitely does glamorize the person featured.

2.gifLook at any other dispute in the news this week and discuss whether coverage is clear and balanced. Is each side quoted or described at roughly equal length?

3.gifNow see if you can spot an article or opinion commentary about any aspect of the news media.

The photo on Rolling Stone's latest cover provokes a national backlash from critics who feel it glamorizes suspected Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar ("Jahar") Tsarnaev, the surviving brother accused in April's attack that killed three and hurt more than 260 others. The rock star-style photo, promoting a serious and extensively reported article about the 20-year-old suspect, led Walgreens and CVS drug stores to pull the magazines from sale last week.

Rolling Stone usually has popular musicians and actors on its front, so a shot of the curly haired domestic terrorism suspect shocks many people. A Boston Globe writer, Scott Kearnan, says the image looks like a "teen idol's publicity photo." Angry posts on the publication's Facebook page call the prominent display disgraceful and insulting to victims. Boston Mayor, Thomas Menino said cover "rewards a terrorist with celebrity treatment," and the city's police commissioner says he's "disgusted by it."

In the magazine's defense, a Boston Globe editorial says people "shouldn't assume that a cover story about a suspected evildoer represents an attempt to glamorize him. This issue of Rolling Stone should be judged not by its cover, but on the information that it brings to the public record." USA Today columnist Nicholas Johnson says the article's skilled author "uncovered and provided as much detail and understanding as anyone could about Jahar, and what caused him to do what he did."

Rolling Stone says: "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."

Boston writer says: "It's a transparent, cynical attempt by Rolling Stone to reassert its dusty but fabled brand as once-again 'edgy' and 'counterculture.' " – Scott Kearnan, Boston Globe

Senator says: ""I thought it was stupid, and I thought it was inappropriate." – John McCain, R-Ariz.

Front Page Talking Points is written by Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2024

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Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.

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