Social media websites ban gruesome video, images of James Foley

By: CBS58 Staff

Posted: Aug 21, 2014 12:16 AM CDT | Updated: Nov 5, 2014 3:29 PM CDT

Milwaukee, WI- As news traveled of journalists James Foley's death by ISIS, so did the gruesome video that recorded his final moments. On Facebook walls and Twitter feeds, Foley was trending but for some of the most horrific reasons; people curious to witness the darkness of humanity play out. Rodney Davis clicked a link he found to the video thinking it would be fake, he was wrong.

10.0pt;font-family:\"Microsoft Sans Serif\",\"sans-serif\"\">\"I was disturbed, to be honest with you, I couldn't believe that someone could be that coldhearted to kill someone like that,\" Davis said.

10.0pt;font-family:\"Microsoft Sans Serif\",\"sans-serif\"\">The horrific nature of the video prompted major sites like YouTube and Twitter to act. Those who shared the images were shut down, the accounts were also scrubbed clean of any links. Social Media expert and President of Trivera Tom Snyder says it’s an ethical and PR decision.

10.0pt;font-family:\"Microsoft Sans Serif\",\"sans-serif\"\">\"It's damaging Twitter's brand, it's damaging Facebook's brand, it's too bad people aren't thinking about how it's damaging their own reputation,” he said.

In response, the hashtag #isismediablackout was created. Users asked people not to share any graphic militant images spreading evil propaganda. After Davis’ encounter with the video, he stands by groups and social media sites banning the image.

10.0pt;font-family:\"Microsoft Sans Serif\",\"sans-serif\"\">\"When you’re sharing those videos around, somebody knows that gentleman that was beheaded and nobody wants to see that,\" Davis said.

10.0pt;font-family:\"Microsoft Sans Serif\",\"sans-serif\"\">Foley's sister has also joined in asking people not to watch or share video of her brother's death.

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