Shame on paper for bombing picture

In regard to the front-page-above-the-fold photo on March 23: SHAME. Talk about adding insult to injury!

That poor woman is not sporting some cute swimsuit top in that photo. She has had her clothing ignominiously, injuriously ripped from her by a bomb. She appears to be in shock and is clearly completely vulnerable to the likes of the vultures who would capitalize on her extreme distress.

And that is the image your paper chose to blazon across its own "chest"?

It's not the same as the iconic photo of the victim of the atomic bombs on Japan; that was overwhelming in its extreme horror and pathos. This is a much "colder" picture and published in a very different time.

Part of your stated mission is to tell the truth. What "truth" is that one individual's hurt and humiliation telling?

And before using the "putting a human face on tragedy" argument, tell me if you would be so brave with the "human face" of one of your loved ones in like circumstance. And the "it's OK because the picture has already been seen around the world" argument - would that wash if it were a teen sexting photo? No, of course not.

Deepest shame on the Daily Herald for adding, for this one individual, to what the bombers had already done.

Marion Blais

Palatine