American journalist Steven Sotloff (Center with black helmet) talks to Libyan rebels on the Al Dafniya front line, 25 km west of Misrata on June 02, 2011 in Misrata, Libya. Sotloff was kidnapped in August 2013 near Aleppo, Syria. Photo by Etienne de Malglaive.
The reporter was abducted in Syria one year ago, and is the second US reporter to have been murdered by ISIS/ISIL. The group posted a video online of James Foley's beheading on August 19, and vowed to do the same to Sotloff in response to U.S. military intervention in Iraq. US officials have not yet confirmed that the video shows what it purports to show.
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the killing. "Journalists know that covering war is inherently dangerous and that they could get killed in crossfire. But being butchered in front of camera simply for being a reporter is pure barbarism," Executive Director Joel Simon said. "We condemn in the strongest terms possible the murder of journalist Steven Sotloff. He, like James Foley, went to Syria to tell a story. They were civilians, not representatives of any government. Their murders are war crimes and those who committed them must be brought to justice swiftly."
As with other videos of its type, we don't recommend you watch it, and it is not linked to in this blog post.
Undated photo shows journalist Steven Sotloff at the Great Sphinx, in Egypt. From Facebook.
SITE releases transcript from Steven Sotloff execution video pic.twitter.com/L5GIVdtttE
— Jon Passantino (@passantino) September 2, 2014
Big danger hovering over Middle Eastern societies: desensitization as atrocities multiply, become part of daily 'normalcy.' RIP Steven
— Emile Hokayem (@emile_hokayem) September 2, 2014
I didn't want to say much earlier about Steven Sotloff but anyone who had worked with him would know he was a fearless reporter .. RIP
— Mazen Mahdi (@MazenMahdi) September 2, 2014
Including #StevenSotloff, at least 71 journalists killed and 80 journalists abducted since war began in Syria https://t.co/FSBXm7fpes
— CPJ (@pressfreedom) September 2, 2014
Steve was a friend. He was a good journalist, and a good man. He didn't deserve this. Rest in peace, Steve.
— Kristen Chick (@kristenchick) September 2, 2014
Steve #Sotloff was part of our group of young freelancers who got their start in #Yemen. We all mourn him today. RIP @stevensotloff
— Laura Kasinof (@kasinof) September 2, 2014
Steven Sotloff's murder should draw attention not only to reporters' plight, but also to locals under #ISIS' menacing rule
— Tia Goldenberg (@tgoldenberg) September 2, 2014
On the days ISIS is not beheading Americans, its beheading non-Americans who are predominantly Muslims.
— Yousef Munayyer (@YousefMunayyer) September 2, 2014
We all need to remember that ISIS murders are practised regularly on hundreds in Syria and Iraq, these are not one-offs.
— Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) September 2, 2014
Journalist Steven Sotloff's family "aware of video, but awaiting confirmation," spokeswoman says; “they're grieving and want their privacy.”
— ABC News (@ABC) September 2, 2014
HT: Andy Carvin
