The public’s right to know, or playing into the terrorists’ hands?
National Post readers answer the question: “Should the media be reporting what jihadists are posting on social media?”
The public has a right to know
There is a good reason why the journalists must publish what the jihadists are posting: They teach us what they truly stand for. Journalists then have the opportunity find the appropriate passage, to show that the jihadists are simply being faithful Islamists. The media should do its duty and teach us what Islam truly stands for. Our leaders are not doing so.
John Stefan Obeda, London, Ont. I would not wish to view someone being beheaded, but otherwise, the general public should be made aware of the serious threat that those murderous fanatics pose, not only in the Middle East, but worldwide. If their brand of terror occurs in the Western world again, our society will devolve into a police state. Unfortunately, in order to prevail against such a threat, the West may have to repeat a First World War tactic: carpet bombing. It is much criticized, but effective.
Robert McLachlan, St. Catharines, Ont.
It’s understandable that journalists would be reporting what jihadis are saying on social media, as it is too dangerous to interview them in person.
David Honigsberg, Toronto. It is in the public interest to know that a jihadist threat exists, and what can be done about it. If the public knows a threat exists, it is more likely to accept corrective action on the part of government, to prevent or mitigate a possible terrorist attack from taking place. So far, governments have been very successful in doing this. Knowledge is power.
Fred Perry, Surrey, B.C. The media should absolutely be reporting what they are saying. The barbaric jihadists are simply strengthening Western resolve with their social media atrocities. While I refuse to participate in the inanity of social media, it does transmit news, which should always be public. I seem to recall that information about Nazi atrocities during the Second World War was often ignored or suppressed by the press of the day. Had the Holocaust been front-page news in 1943, I’m certain strong efforts would have been made to stop it. News equates to knowledge — please continue reporting social media postings.
Francis Patrick Jordan, White Rock, B.C. Of course the media should publish all videos of anyone in a mask and a scary suit, who are threatening our country. Only a conspiracy nut would recognize the childishly obvious attempt to again manipulate the world
into attacking Israel’s enemies.
Iain G. Foulds, Spruce Grove, Alta. Yes. Do not hide the truth. We have reached this crossroad because ruthless ideological terrorists have run amok amongst us. They are barbaric jihadists bent on destroying their religion by misguided vile acts of beheading innocents, to gain their own idea of paradise. Like animals, they kill their flesh and blood. They fight Christian and Jewish values as a threat upon themselves.
Madeleine Ross Salter, Stoney Creek, Ont. To fail to report jihadists’ social media posts is to give the jihadists the very victory that we must strive to deny them.
Moishe Goldstein, Toronto. The media should report on what jihadists are saying on social media, if only to show the moderates that there are groups of extremists in the Islamic community in the West that wish to bring their jihad to the world.
Arthur Rubinoff, Toronto. Yes, I think the media should be reporting what these barbarians are posting on social media. The West is at war with these groups, whether some politicians care to admit it or not. Putting them in the spotlight may be viewed as glorifying their actions to some people, but respectable news organization like the Post, must be on top of it, as folks have a right to know.
Steve Flanagan, Ottawa.