Have some respect for the deceased

Let us respect the lives of deceased persons, the media and blogs should stop the inhumane culture of sharing heartless photos and videos of them

COMMENT

The gruesome murder of Norazita Abu Talib, an Ambank officer in October is still fresh in our minds. One of the noteworthy facets of the incidence was the public plea made by Norazita’s husband: “I hope and pray that anyone who has received the photographs and videos on the death of my wife to delete them instead of uploading and spreading them online.”

He further stated, “My grieving children will be even sadder, seeing pictures of their mother in such a condition. Indirectly, the spread of such footage disgraces my late wife and our family.”

Norazita was definitely not the first nor the last person who was targetted following their death – all in the spirit of cheap publicity!

In September, the colleagues, students and friends of Michel De Lottinville, a Taylor’s College lecturer were outraged (rightfully so!) at the media for the latter’s objectification of Michel after his death. Michel committed suicide and all that the media cared to publish were the photos and videos of Michel’s body hanging.

Last month, some irresponsible newspapers and blogs repulsively published the photos of the burnt remains of a 20-year-old student who set himself on fire at his house balcony. The student’s mother made a plea to stop the spread of the photos, “We request the public and media to cooperate and show respect during this painful time.”

On Dec 17, 2013, this columnist had a chance to meet a grieving family member who also pointed out the disrespect the media and the public show toward the deceased persons and their families by sharing photos and videos of dead bodies.

The most troubling part about all these cases is the fact that the grieving family members had to make a plea to the media and public to act humanely. Where is our empathy towards other lives? Where is the respect the deceased persons deserve?

Norazita was a dedicated partner, mother and officer. Michel was a great teacher, father, colleague and friend. The student was a loveable son, brother, friend and person as a whole.

Let families mourn in peace

The three were human beings who lived beautiful lives and their tragic deaths left their survivors in lots of pain. They were not mere objects to be portrayed in cold photos and videos. One does not need a degree in journalism to know that it is unethical to objectify someone especially after the person’s death – an empathetic mind is sufficient!

Not only such depictions disgrace the deceased persons, they also further add to the sorrow of the surviving family members. The exacerbated pain is only going to make the bereavement process harder for the survivors. How is it not comprehensible that it is excruciating to see your loved ones in horrific depictions mentioned above?

If you care about the laws, according to Mohd Shukri Dahlan, Selangor Senior Deputy Comm, it is even an offence under Section 233 of Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 to upload above mentioned photos or videos. If found guilty, an offender can face one year jail sentence, RM50,000 fine or both upon sentencing.

In any case, we should not be needing laws to teach us to be sensitive to the rest of the humanity and we need to kill this inhumane culture of sharing heartless photos and videos of deceased persons at once. Media should be more responsible and respectful in the covering of death stories. Just because you have the power to publish something, please do not objectify a human being and bring shame to the honourable field of journalism.

Sometimes only the official police photographers are allowed to take photos of the deceased persons, but these photos magically end up on blogs and social networking sites. The authority figures should really start using their brains and better control confidential information within their force.

Even if the media or personal blogs publish horrendous photos and videos of the deceased persons, they will not go viral if only the public become more responsible and make a conscious decision to not share those depictions via messages, emails or social networking sites.

Yes, sharing is caring. However, we need to start sharing with care as well. The next time we come across photos or videos of objectified deceased persons, we shall condemn and correct the publisher – not unkindly share and further nurture the inhumane culture. Let us always respect the lives of the deceased persons and not allow the hunger for publicity to slay our empathy for the lost lives and their survivors.

Finally, bereavement is an essential process for the survivors to accept the death of their loved ones and move on with life. Let them mourn peacefully.

Tamil Selvan Ramis is a FMT columnist and blogs at www.facebook.com/selvanztod