Why This Newspaper Ran an Issue With No Photos After Publishing a Disturbing Refugee Image

Editor: Shielding readers just makes 'the needy more invisible'

Few photos in recent memory have had the devastating emotional impact of last week's pictures showing a Syrian toddler drowned on a Turkish beach.

Many news outlets were criticized for running the heartbreaking photos, a decision that many reached only after intensive internal debate. "It was brutally disturbing, yes," noted Kim Murphy, assistant managing editor for the Los Angeles Times. "But it promised to trouble our readers not by its violence, but by its searing sadness."

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in