In recent days, journalist Abdiel Bermúdez reported during a segment of the National Television News (NTV) on the publication of graphic images related to the accident in which singer Paulo FG lost his life.
Bermúdez stated that there must be a boundary between what is public and what is personal.
"For some morbid reason, personal dramas and private blows are coming to light with a frightening ease," he noted; something he described as "rude, cruel, and insensitive behavior in relation to the suffering of others."
He stated that, although the internet and mobile phones are blamed for this growing practice, the decision to photograph, film, and share it with friends and strangers is actually a voluntary choice that turns the individual into part of what he referred to as a "yellow journalism tide."
The communicator cited as examples of these macabre “news trophies” the photos circulated on social media in 2017 following the death of a young man who was a victim of a shark attack in Guardalavaca, as well as the videos from 2018 that displayed painful images of the airplane crash that occurred in Havana.
Another recently cited example is that of the minor who died after being sucked into a drain in Havana, a video captured by chance, but later shared on social media until it went viral.
“In some countries around the world, this violation of privacy is subject to the full force of the law. In Cuba”, suggested the journalist, who asserted that the leniency on the island “has exceeded a limit, despite a penal code that punishes such acts and with harsher penalties if social media is involved.”
“I believe this deserves a lesson-filled punishment”, he concluded.
Between denunciation and morbid curiosity: Two sides of the same coin
In the comments section of the post, opinions were divided.
For some, the dissemination of these images serves as a tool for social activism that exposes realities that official media do not cover.
"Thanks to those videos and photos, we learned the truth, not like the distorted news provided by the official media, because according to TV in Cuba, nothing ever happens", noted a user on social media.
This stance highlights how images shared by citizens reveal issues such as the poor condition of hospitals, animal abuse, violence, and precariousness in the country.
Others argue that the problem lies not in informing, but in monitoring how it is done.
“One thing is to publish that a person was murdered, and another is to display their bloodied and mutilated body. One thing is not related to the other”, commented another commentator, criticizing the excessive graphic nature of some publications.
Some also consider that the debate is hypocritical and serves selective interests.
"If there is a shooting at a school in the U.S., it is reported ten times by the official media. But when it comes to the reality in Cuba, they want to censor everything ugly", stated another user, referring to the apparent double standard of the official media.
Respect for the pain of others: A necessary boundary
The other side of the debate consists of those who believe that the dissemination of such images is a disrespect to the suffering of others.
“We must be empathetic. Think about how you would feel if you saw images of a family member of yours being torn apart in an accident or suffering”, noted a user.
Those who advocate for this position argue that respect for the privacy of victims and their families should take precedence over informational interests.
"Indifference and lack of empathy have become evident. Humanity has been dumbed down. Strict sanctions must be imposed for incidents like these," expressed other comments.
Many agreed that the display of explicit images not only revictimizes the deceased but also prolongs the suffering of their loved ones.
Regulate or Censor?: The Dilemma of the Laws
In light of this situation, some advocate for the implementation of regulations that would prevent the dissemination of sensitive images without the consent of family members.
"There must be a law that prevents such rude and disrespectful things from happening. That's enough already," stated an internet user.
However, others fear that this type of regulation could become a tool to censor information that is inconvenient for the government.
“If with such a lack of information in our press they now make this a crime to penalize anyone who publishes what is not convenient, it will be the end of truth in Cuba”, warned an internet user, reflecting the concern that a possible law will serve more to control the official narrative than to protect the sensitivities of the victims.
The debate about the dissemination of images of tragedies on social media in Cuba does not have a simple answer.
While some defend the freedom to inform as an inalienable right and a form of denunciation, others advocate for the protection of dignity and respect for the suffering of others.
For a third group, the solution lies halfway: to inform, while maintaining limits that are not to be exceeded.
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