#ISISMediaBlackout goes viral following purported execution of James Foley
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Version 0 of 1. The release of a video depicting the purported beheading of American photojournalist James Foley has prompted a backlash against propaganda released by militants with the Islamic State, the group that claimed to have executed him. The hashtag #ISISMediaBlackout began trending shortly after the video’s release on Tuesday, as Twitter users urged others not to share the video or any other graphic images released by the militant group. The hashtag references one of the group’s names, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and was created shortly after the video was released. It appears to have originated with a woman using the Twitter handle @LibyaLiberty. “Amputate their reach,” she said in one tweet. “Pour water on their flame.” you know what I think? And I know how crazy this sounds,but we need an #ISISmediaBlackout. Amputate their reach. Pour water on their flame. — Hend (@LibyaLiberty) August 19, 2014 you know what I think? And I know how crazy this sounds,but we need an #ISISmediaBlackout. Amputate their reach. Pour water on their flame. — Hend (@LibyaLiberty) August 19, 2014 From here on out, I won’t share any photo or video of violence intentionally recorded & released by ISIS for propaganda. #ISISmediaBlackout — Hend (@LibyaLiberty) August 19, 2014 From here on out, I won’t share any photo or video of violence intentionally recorded & released by ISIS for propaganda. #ISISmediaBlackout — Hend (@LibyaLiberty) August 19, 2014 The video of Foley’s purported killing was initially posted on YouTube, but taken down shortly afterward. Still images from the video were removed from Twitter. The Islamic State laid blame for Foley’s apparent execution on President Obama’s recent decision to launch airstrikes in Iraq, and said a second journalist, Steven Sotloff, who was also shown in the video, would be killed if the strikes did not cease. Some individuals, including Al Jazeera America’s Wajahat Ali, said sharing the images of Foley’s apparent death on social media played into the militant group’s hands. Don’t share ISIS’s beheading video of journalist #jamesfoley. That’s what they want – don’t give them the satisfaction #ISISmediaBlackout — Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) August 19, 2014 Don’t share ISIS’s beheading video of journalist #jamesfoley. That’s what they want – don’t give them the satisfaction #ISISmediaBlackout — Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) August 19, 2014 In Iraq our children became desensitized to images of killings because it’s always shown, don’t let that happen elsewhere #ISISmediaBlackout — Sajad Jiyad سجاد (@SajadJiyad) August 19, 2014 In Iraq our children became desensitized to images of killings because it’s always shown, don’t let that happen elsewhere #ISISmediaBlackout — Sajad Jiyad سجاد (@SajadJiyad) August 19, 2014 Others wondered if the hashtag was wise. Other radical groups use Twitter and do not get the same reaction, one noted: The problem with #ISISmediaBlackout is that it’s not extensive enough. Don’t think other radical elements don’t exploit media. — Phillip Smyth (@PhillipSmyth) August 19, 2014 The problem with #ISISmediaBlackout is that it’s not extensive enough. Don’t think other radical elements don’t exploit media. — Phillip Smyth (@PhillipSmyth) August 19, 2014 Another user suggested journalists “have a responsibility” to report murder: Is #ISISmediaBlackout a prudent strategy? Don’t journalists have a responsibility to report murder/incitement to murder? — Adam Soclof (@hypersem) August 19, 2014 Is #ISISmediaBlackout a prudent strategy? Don’t journalists have a responsibility to report murder/incitement to murder? — Adam Soclof (@hypersem) August 19, 2014 Related on Checkpoint: Steven Sotloff, journalist held captive by the Islamic State, went missing in Syria U.S. military announces 14 airstrikes in Iraq following James Foley execution |