Boston Bomb Suspect On Cover Of Rolling Stone Jul 17th 2013, 11:24
Rolling Stone readers have called for a boycott of the magazine after it featured a photo of one of the alleged Boston bombers on its cover.
Fans used to seeing musicians or actors on the front have expressed anger at the decision to use Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's picture of himself on next month's issue.
The image shows the 19-year-old unshaven with messy, curly hair above a headline saying The Bomber.
It bears a striking similarity to a front cover that featured The Doors frontman Jim Morrison.
The magazine goes on to say that it will reveal "how a popular, promising student was failed by his family, fell into radical Islam, and became a monster".
Three people - Martin Richard, aged eight; Krystle Marie Campbell, 29, and 23-year-old Lingzi Lu - were killed in the attacks during the Boston marathon in April.
Shawn Anthony wrote on the magazine's Facebook page: "I think it's wrong to make celebrities out of these people. Why give the guy the cover of Rolling Stone? TIME gave Charles Manson the cover and all the magazines carried pictures of the Columbine shooters on the covers, too. Don't make martyrs out of these people."
The victims of the bombings James Mazzuchelli posted: "I will NEVER buy a Rolling Stone ever again. Disgraceful."
Pegeen Wotrubasaid: "It's a disgrace you would put him on your cover. Put a soldier, fireman or policeman, a runner from that day. After this comment, I am "un" liking your page."
On July 10 Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty to 30 charges, including the use of weapons of mass destruction.
Sky's Media and Technology Correspondent Niall Paterson said: " Some will ask - why all the outrage? After all, Tsarnaev's photo has been plastered all over all sorts of media ever since he was connected to the Boston bombing. He himself put the picture online.
"Is it because Rolling Stone is a music magazine? Probably not, as it's equally famous for its long form journalism on politics and current affairs.
"Is it because the magazine is seemingly glorifying an alleged murderer? A closer look at the article reveals it's a thoughtful, insightful, well researched piece, a million miles from hero worship.
"Most likely, it's because the photo makes Tsarnaev look like the lead singer of some wistful indie band.
"Rolling Stone's picture editors were fully aware of what they were doing when they selected this shot in preference to, say, his mugshot. They knew it would provoke a reaction."
Rolling Stone has not responded to a Sky News request for comment.
Scott Foresman Science
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