ESSENCE Poll: Should the Media Use Morbid Images to Tell Stories?

News cycles have their share of crime and tragedy, though some weeks seem worse than others.

Last week was one of those weeks—first there was Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which is believed to have been shot down by a missile in the Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. Then in a more local story, video of Eric Garner, a Black father of 6, tragically dying shortly after being put in a choke hold by NYPD police officers, went viral.

Both of these news stories put death on our screens. In the case of Garner’s video, viewers literally watch him die. And the MH17 plane crash has produced images of bodies lined up in body bags and more. 

This is not the first time images of death and dead bodies have permeated the news—nor will it be the last. What do you think of the media’s choice to show graphic images of death? Is it necessary to drive home the point of the story? Let us know your thoughts below.

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