MKs seek to stem spread of graphic footage from terrorist attacks

The Bayit Yehudi MK initiated the legislation after the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, when relatives of people injured in the attack found out from videos and photos posted on social media.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Updated: JUNE 13, 2016 00:06
David Bitan (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
David Bitan
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
After yet another terrorist onslaught last week was followed by the widespread dissemination of graphic security- camera footage and images of the carnage, including the faces of the victims, coalition chairman David Bitan and Knesset Law, Constitution and Justice Committee chairman Nissan Slomiansky sought to curb the phenomenon.
Slomiansky proposed a bill that would set a fine of NIS 15,000 for anyone who publicizes details, photos or video from the scene of a tragic event without permission and without blurring the faces of the victims, or who disseminates the names of people injured or killed before their families are notified by the authorities.
The Bayit Yehudi MK initiated the legislation after Wednesday night’s terrorist attack at the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, when relatives of wounded victims found out from videos and photos posted on social media.
In addition, he pointed to a previous terrorist attack in which photos of people alleged to be the attackers were posted online, but they turned out to be mistaken. A similar thing occurred after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
“Spreading video footage without blurring faces and without supervision causes unnecessary panic in the public and inspires terrorists to continue. This phenomenon must stop immediately,” Slomiansky said.
Bitan is also considering proposing a bill, and called on people to stop sending and posting security camera footage of terrorist attacks on social media.
“Beyond the horrifying situations in which families of victims can watch the people closest to them being shot, over and over again, these clips are spread among Palestinians and lead to the glorification of the terrorists, and terrorist organizations use them as recruiting tools,” Bitan said.
The Likud MK said the spread of cellphone videos from terrorist attacks probably cannot be prevented, but that footage from security cameras in public places is a different matter.