The Murder of Nick Berg- Video?

[DomainDog]

I don't mean to sound morbid, but a client with a political website wants to upload the complete or partial video of the gruesome murder of Nick Berg to the server, then place a link (with appropriate warnings) for visitors to view it. I have seen it and it's absolutely terrible.

I have two questions for all of you here at Dathorn-

1) Would something this awful be within the AUP guidelines?

2) Even if it is, should I forbid it, just on moral grounds?

Any thoughts or comments would be very welcome.

[sdjl]

You may not use your dedicated rack or virtual site to publish material, which DIS determines, at its sole discretion, to be unlawful, indecent or objectionable. For purposes of this policy, "material" refers to all forms of communications including narrative descriptions, graphics (including photographs, illustrations, images, drawings, logos), executable programs, video recordings, and audio recordings.

That's taken from the AUP and leaves things pretty wide open.

IMHO i wouldn't allow them to post such material whether it was allowed or not.

David

[Grunfeld]

I would ask Andrew for a answer, IMO unless Andrew says no you have no choice but to allow your client to do so, however sad it is to use that type of "video".......

Your client pays for his service and can do with it as he/she sees fit ...... as long as it fits into the terms of service .....

[Buddha]

Ask Andrew. Submit a trouble ticket. Don't ask us, it does no good. The only opinion that will matter is Andrew's as has been pointed out in the AUP.

[Andy]

If I had to guess, I would say NO. Second, if a client asked me to host a file like that, I would say no. Once it gets out it would probably effect the server.

And personally, would you really want to know that your client and you is hosting a file like that?

Also place your self in the family's postion. Would you like if a video of your loved one was getting executed and then shown to the world?

[Jonathan]

I'd say no because:


1) Morally wrong
2) Point out its on the 'edge' of no-mans land of the AUP
3) Point out how they'd feel if they were the family of Mr. Berg

[DomainDog]

Some very good and well expressed opinions so far, and I really appreciate it!

Please allow me to offer a couple of observations:

1) Yes it would potentially be a server drain, but to aviod this I would limit it's download to specific times. It's not streaming, it's mpeg/wmv, about 5MB.

2) Of course if Andrew objects, there will be no video, but he is rather explicit in the AUP stating he does not wish to choke the flow of information. This is a legitimate news story, and the video and images, however gruesome are integral to the story. Plus, I do not believe it is an obvious violation of the AUP.

3) I am 100% in sympathy and understanding with the family, but again- it's international news, and parts of the video and captured images are already being shown.

4) I would only allow it, if the site contained an EXPLICIT WARNING that the material was very potentially offensive.

5) Awful as the video is, one thing that is of benefit from watching it is- I now completely (and painfully) understand the horrific nature of the beasts who perpetrated this terrible event. I will never again underestimate their complete hatred for anything good or moral or American.

Any other input is greatly appreciated. I have not allowed this so far, and your thoughts and opinions have definitely made an impression!

[shalom_m]

it's international news

You are wrong on this point.
The NEWS is that Nick Berg was slaughtered.
The graphic imagery can only serve sick minds or the terrorists.

[-Oz-]

Be careful because this could invite people to try and hack the server because they don't like the idea...

What did Andrew say?

[Pedja]

5) Awful as the video is, one thing that is of benefit from watching it is- I now completely (and painfully) understand the horrific nature of the beasts who perpetrated this terrible event. I will never again underestimate their complete hatred for anything good or moral or American.

Be carefull when expressing one way oriented opinios as this one.

Remember Indian issues or Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Corea, or recent history... up to the bestiality over Iraqi prisoners just revealed. There are too many people that cannot equal american with goodness and morality.

[Frank Hagan]

What does YOUR AUP say?

I wouldn't allow it.

[chrisd]

but again- it's international news, and parts of the video and captured images are already being shown.

So what. And is that their rationale?

On the moral issue ...

What's their motivation? The betterment of society? Adding value to the internet? Because they're all round good guys that just want the warm and fuzzy feeling of contributing something to the world?

I think you'll find that the *real* agenda* is to drive more visitors to their site. They're selling something.

Then ask yourself if that's right.

[DomainDog]

As a business person, I'm not sure that it is a good idea or a sound business practice to disallow a client to host something that doesn't violate the AUP, just because I disagree with the content.

Although this is not a perfect analogy- one of my customers sells insurance. If I hated insurance saleman, should I disallow them to sell their product because of personal bias?

It's confusing, because personally, I disagree with the public showing, but professionally, I am troubled with the idea of censorship (subject of course our common AUP). That's why I asked for input from our collective brain trust here at Dathorn!

I have not instituted a direct question to Andrew on this issue because I know he constantly monitors these forums, and if he feels he needs to make a comment, he will.

[-Oz-]

I am locking this thread. This can only get more off topic and more out of control and this is not the place to discuss these sensative issues.

Put a support ticket in to Andrew.