Strengths of what the article is explaining the bombers on a
new point of view. A point of view that no one expected from a well-known music
based magazine. It seemed to place away from them, and more their harsh past.
How the boys weren’t what the media has put them out be, or at least stating
that it’s not the whole story. The article is a new and insightful take of the
series of unfortunate events that concluded on the day of the bombings. It is
also a shocking side to publish since it emphasizes what they did. Since 9/11, Terrorists
attacks have and still are subjects that are one-sided and a sensitive subject
to the public. Rolling Stones Magazine is well-known with a popular fan base,
so the article will be read and circulated throughout their demographics or to
even new readers.
"Reitman spent the last two months interviewing dozens of sources – childhood and high school friends, teachers, neighbors and law enforcement agents, many of whom spoke for the first time about the case – to deliver a riveting and heartbreaking account of how a charming kid with a bright future became a monster."(http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/five-revelations-from-rolling-stones-boston-bomber-cover-story-20130716)
Weaknesses would be that even if it’s something new, it won’t
give the best popularity. Again, this magazine is known for they music pop
culture coverage, and not serious political stories. Even if this has gained
attention (both bad and good), it has been placed within the controversy category. More than anything the cover of this issue has been criticized displaying him as a star rather than a terrorist. Opinions like these can harm the reputation of the magazine. The criticism has brought enough backlash that popular retailer, including CVS and Walgreens, have decided not sell the issue in their stores.
"The survivors of the Boston attacks deserve Rolling Stone cover stories, though I no longer feel that Rolling Stone deserves them,” (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/18/retailers-vow-not-to-sell-rolling-stone-as-critics-blast-decision-to-put/)
Opportunities would come from the publicity this article has
received. Not only from the general public, but a lot of attention in the media as well. Yes, it may not have been their ‘place’ to cover such a story. Yet
this is an opportunity to take their magazine to a more diverse direction and a
completely new one. A new path to becoming a seriously taken magazine that write in-depth stories on politics and other serious topics than just the music industry. The controversial cover has also given the magazine an opportunity because of its unique and shocking display of the bomber.
"The cover presents a stark contrast with our usual image of terrorists. It asks, “What did we expect to see in Tsarnaev? What did we hope to see?” The answer, most likely, is a monster, a brutish dolt with outward manifestations of evil. What we get instead, however, is the most alarming sight of all: a boy who looks like someone we might know." (http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07/17/boston_bomber_rolling_stone_cover_with_dzokhar_tsarnaev_is_good_journalism.html).
Threats would be the extremely long length of the article
itself. Its captivating at first, but then continues to place descriptions of
how the boy was so normal and liked among the people who knew him that no one
would have predicted the bombing that day. The length of the article does not match the reputation the magazine has built for itself. Its so risky and so rare to find amongst other magazines. Another threat is amount of
advertising that is done with this magazine. If they don’t take advantage of
this opportunity to start exposing their hard-hitting political articles, they’ll
probably continue to not be taken seriously and expected to mainly cover music.
"long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful” coverage of the most important current political and cultural issues.-The fact that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is young, and in the same age group as many of our readers, makes it all the more important for us to examine the complexities of this issue and gain a more complete understanding of how a tragedy like this happens." (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/18/retailers-vow-not-to-sell-rolling-stone-as-critics-blast-decision-to-put).
Sources:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/explaining-the-rolling-stone-cover-by-a-boston-native-20130719
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/07
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/18/retailers-vow-not-to-sell-rolling-stone-as-critics-blast-decision-to-put//17/boston_bomber_rolling_stone_cover_with_dzokhar_tsarnaev_is_good_journalism.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/five-revelations-from-rolling-stones-boston-bomber-cover-story-20130716
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