Rolling Stone Issue Banned in Some C-Stores

Tedeschi Food Shops, Rutter’s and Cumberland Farms are among the list of retailers refusing to stock the Aug. 1 issue because of the cover photo of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect.

July 19, 2013

BOSTON – Even before it hits newsstands today, the Aug. 1 issue of Rolling Stone has triggered controversy with the announcement that several national and regional retailers won’t carry the magazine, Marketing Daily reports. 

CVS, Walgreens, Tedeschi Food Shops, Rutter’s and Cumberland Farms are some of the retailers refusing to stock the issue because of the cover photo of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The retailers said they view the cover shot as glorifying Tsarnaev by giving his photo such prominence.

While the article itself appears to be an in-depth look at how the young man turned to such violence, retailers view the photo cover as not in good taste. On its Facebook page, Rutter’s said, “We will be pulling the recent issue of Rolling Stone with the alleged Boston bomber from our magazine racks out of respect for the victims of the attack and their loved ones.” 

“Tedeschi Food Shops supports the need to share the news with everyone, but cannot support actions that serve to glorify the evil actions of anyone,” read part of the company’s statement about its decision. “With that being said, we will not be carrying this issue of Rolling Stone. Music and terrorism don’t mix!”

Rolling Stone’s response to the boycott did little to alleviate the concerns expressed by retailers: “The cover story we are publishing this week falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone’s long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day. 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.”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement