Conspiracy Theorists On Bin Laden Pictures a Threat to National Security?
The Obama administration's decision to not release the photos of Osama bin Laden's killing has many government skeptics and conspiracy theorists believing this death is a hoax.
Though people are entitled to their opinion, national security might be at risk if photos are released to appease a small segment of the population.
I don't want to make the job of our troops serving in places like Iraq and Afghanistan any harder than it already is, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI) said. The risks of release outweigh the benefits. Conspiracy theorists around the world will just claim the photos are doctored anyway, and there is a real risk that releasing the photos will only serve to inflame public opinion in the Middle East.
Rogers's point has validity. The photos could be released to more skepticism from conspiracy theorists, thus not appeasing anyone, and creating more misinformation about the publicly disclosed facts.
In the process, global terrorists may use the photo as a galvanizing tool for an increase in terrorist activity, and recruitment.
Bin Laden's followers could use the image as a reminder that more needs to be done to advance their agenda.
Then there is the problem of releasing an image that is grotesque to sensitive and younger viewers. News publications have always grappled with the ethics of displaying images that were in no legitimate news interest.
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