Stop live streaming acts of violence

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing to express my deep concern about a troubling trend that has emerged in our society, the live broadcasting of violent crimes for clicks and views. Recent incidents, such as the widely circulated “Brownman v Police” live stream video and the shocking footage of a man being shot dead in Greater Portmore, highlight how insensitive and harmful this practice has become.

While some may view these broadcasts as ‘entertainment’ or ‘breaking news’, we must pause and consider the human side. Behind every incident is a grieving family, a traumatised community, and a life that has been violently cut short. What happens when a loved one stumbles upon a live feed of their family member’s final moments? Is that truly the way we would want to receive such devastating news?

As a nation, we cannot normalise turning tragedy into content. The pursuit of clicks and online validation should never outweigh compassion and respect for human dignity. Media platforms, content creators, and even ordinary citizens must be more responsible in how they share information. Violence should not be sensationalised – it should be condemned.

I call on the public to exercise restraint, empathy, and good judgement. Let us not forget that behind every viral video is a real human being, and behind every share is a family that deserves privacy, dignity, and respect.

DAVOY BURTON