Sir, – I am dismayed at Sally O'Reilly's suggestion that you should introduce "trigger warnings" into articles of sensitive content in your paper (Letters, May 5th).
While there is no doubt that rape is a very sensitive topic that arouses extreme emotional reactions, I find it outrageous that a professional is effectively trying to stifle awareness of such an important issue by watering down the subject matter as such and steering people away from engaging with complex and nuanced subjects.
The fact of the matter is that these issues are real and must be faced and engaged with by society as a whole.
A key part of that is detailed, accurate and analytic reporting by the media. This “trigger warning” culture that is tabled would do more harm than good in the long run by suggesting that certain issues are only fit to be digested and discussed by a select body of individuals with a certain mental aptitude.
As for the victims of these horrendous crimes, I would think that it is up to them do decide if an article is overly provocative and they can discover the subject matter through the headline and title alone – no patronising trigger warnings are needed, and the victims shouldn’t be patronised with this attitude either.
– Yours, etc,
JORDAN MARKEY
Carrickmacross,
Co Monaghan.