Rolling Stone Issue 1188 2013 NM

Rolling Stone Issue 1188 August 1, 2013 is one of the most controversial in the magazine’s history. It featured a cover story on Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombing.

The Cover Story: "Jahar’s World"

The feature, written by contributing editor Janet Reitman, was a deeply reported, 11,000-word account titled "The Bomber: How a Popular, Promising Student Was Failed by His Family, Fell Into Radical Islam and Became a Monster."

• Content: The article explored Tsarnaev’s childhood, his transition from a well-liked high school wrestler to a radicalized terrorist, and the influence of his older brother, Tamerlan.
• Intent: The editors stated the goal was to provide a "serious and thoughtful" look into how a "normal" teenager could become a mass murderer.

The Controversy

The backlash was immediate and widespread, primarily due to the cover photo—a self-taken "selfie" of Tsarnaev that many felt glamorized him.

• The "Rock Star" Aesthetic: Critics argued the photo made Tsarnaev look like a soft-focus pop star or a young Bob Dylan, which they felt was an insult to the victims and survivors of the bombing.
• Retailer Boycotts: Several major retailers, including CVS, Walgreens, Stop & Shop, and 7-Eleven, refused to stock the issue in their stores.
• Public Outrage: Boston Mayor Thomas Menino sent a letter to the publisher calling the cover "ill-conceived," and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick labeled it "distasteful."

Other Features in the Issue

While the cover dominated the news, the issue also included:

• Willie Nelson: An interview with the country music legend.
• Jay-Z: Coverage regarding his Magna Carta Holy Grail era.
• Robin Thicke: A profile during the height of the "Blurred Lines" craze.