The Controversy Surrounding Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

August 2013 Issue Cover
Courtesy of Rolling Stone

After putting Boston bombing suspect  Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on the cover of its August issue, Rolling Stone sales have doubled. The magazine sales were reportedly twice as much as sales in 2012. However, many are outraged quoting that the magazine is being "Insensitive". Major Drugstore chains such as CVS and Walgreens, boycotted the coverage because of the magazine's lack of sympathy. Readers have accused the magazine  of  "glorifying" the troubled youth after Rolling Stone was quoted in saying, "The Bomber: How a popular, promising student was failed by his family, fell into radical Islam and became a monster." During the outrage surrounding this issue, the editors issued a sympathy statement at the beginning of the article.

" Our hearts go out to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, and our thoughts are always with them and their families. The cover story we are publishing this week falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone’s long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day. The fact that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is young, and in the same age group as many of our readers, makes it all the more important for us to examine the complexities of this issue and gain a more complete understanding of how a tragedy like this happens. –THE EDITORS"

The April 15 bombing killed 3 people and injured 260. Sgt. Sean Murphy referred to the 19 year old as evil and photos of him show what the real bomber looks like. Murphy is now under scrutiny for releasing photos without authorization and will possibly face suspension until an internal investigation is completed.