Rolling Stone takes heat for cover

Boston bombing suspect’s photo upsets retailers

BOSTON — A Rolling Stone cover story on Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev isn’t on the stands yet but it’s already generating controversy, with at least two retailers announcing Wednesday that they will not carry the issue.

The cover of the magazine’s Aug. 1 edition is a photo in which Tsarnaev looks more like one of the rock stars that usually grace it than a suspect in the April 15 bombings at the marathon finish line that killed three and wounded more than 260. A preview on the magazine’s website says the story by contributing editor Janet Reitman traces how “a bright kid with a charming future became a monster.”

Rolling Stone editors said in a statement that the story falls within the traditions of journalism and the magazine’s commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage.

“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,” the statement said.

The CVS pharmacy chain, based about 80 kilometres from Boston, and a Massachusetts-based convenience store chain, Tedeschi Food Shops, have said they will not carry the magazine.

One of the marathon runners, Lauren Gabler, who was running her fourth Boston Marathon this year, said she at first thought the Rolling Stone photo was of a model or rock star and was surprised when she realized it was Tsarnaev.

She had finished the race well ahead of when the bombs went off but was two blocks away when she heard and felt the explosions.

“I haven’t read the article yet, and I know it will probably be quite indepth, but my initial reaction is that the photo that’s being used almost makes him look like a good guy,” she said. “That’s the storyline, but I think the public will have trouble, like me, making the association between here’s the Boston bomber and here’s the guy who appears to be cool on the cover of Rolling Stone.”

Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty in the bombings.

Afp/getty Images/rolling Stone Rolling Stone magazine’s decision to put the accused Boston Marathon bomber on the cover has ignited a firestorm of outrage online.