The Guardian decides when we are allowed to read critics of Paris Attacks

November 23, 2015

Source : What we got right and wrong in coverage of the Paris attacks (The Guardian)

By CHRIS ELLIOTT

“On the Opinion pages, one factor taken into consideration was timing – judging when readers would be willing to engage with an idea that in the first 24 hours after the attacks may have jarred. The idea that these horrific attacks have causes and that one of those causes may be the west’s policies is something that in the immediate aftermath might inspire anger. Three days later, it’s a point of view that should be heard.

Among the complaints were some good points, many of them about language. For instance, several readers objected to the use of the word “mastermind” to describe Abdelhamid Abaaoud, as it appears to celebrate his achievements. I agree. Others were concerned that we had given insufficient prominence to the bombings in Beirut on 12 November, which killed 43 people.”