Quote Originally Posted by Syme View Post
I would argue that even if al-Qaeda's videos aren't seen by many people, they have their intended effect. After all, most people probably don't learn of these videos by watching the actual videos; they learn about by reading in the newspaper, or seeing on a news program, that al-Qaeda has produced another beheading video. The percentage of people who actually track down and watch the videos after learning about their existence is probably fairly small.
Granted, but without the existence and dissemination of the video the beheading and the various explanations would not be known. I see your point though. Inevitably people would get hold of the video, and it would hardly be illegal to report it.

I mean, can you seriously argue that it ought to be illegal to possess video footage that simply shows an illegal act occurring?
No, I can't, but apparently in some cases you can.

EDIT: Yes, I would say that the fundamental question to be asked when considering censorship of videos depicting criminal acts is whether the censorship will protect the victims. If banning the creation/possession/distribution of such videos makes it less likely that the criminal acts depicted in the videos will occur at all (as is certainly the case with child pornography), then the ban is justified. If not, then the ban isn't justified; it's just pointless moralizing. "Protecting the viewers" doesn't seem like it should matter; I'm not even sure that it makes sense. Protecting them from what, seeing something gross?
Heh, from seeing something gross perhaps, but also in other areas. Like certification of films (12, 15, 18 etc) and games out of fear they might influence people's behaviour, or the censorship of polarising figures... such as the BBC's voice ban on Gerry Adams in the 80s and 90s, or even Britain refusing entry to Geert Wilders and Canada refusing George Galloway. Censoring a beheading could be rationalised by arguing that such an extreme act might galvanise and radicalise certain people either way to imitate or commit other crimes.