In the news: Woolwich, and why giving murderers airtime probably isn't a good idea

When I first saw the shocking images of Woolwich on Wednesday, I didn't know what to think. I was standing in Barclays, with a TV on mute showing what must have been the aftermath of the shoot out. The breaking news banner was sitting at the bottom of the screen and small pithy updates scrolled across. 'One man dead, two injured - one critical'. As the telly was silent I had no idea what happened - just a mangled car that had struck a street sign, a trail of petrol, and a pool of blood.

Now, South London is known for being violent in places. And much like a few patches in Essex where I live, stabbings and gang fights are a common occurrence. So for this to be breaking news it was obvious something else had gone on. Maybe it was someone high profile? Perhaps the car belonged to someone famous out on a day trip?

As the hours and days progressed we gradually pieced together what had happened, with the victim being named yesterday. But the thing that struck me the most was the amount of airtime given to the murderers, and the amount of digging into their pasts. A seemingly loving young lad not content with the injustice he saw in the world, being radicalised and finding others who believed in his way.

Without getting too political - I have neither the will nor desire to bring religion into this as it's only a tool, an  excuse, these people use to try to win people over to their thinking - the murders had a message. They wanted their cause to be known around the world. They wanted their voices to be heard. But why should we indulge their wishes?

After all, in their minds their job is done. They've killed a soldier - incredibly, they apologised to the women who had to watch - for the role he played overseas. They've gained mass international media coverage. They've brought to the surface radical clerics who are now praising their apparent bravery on national television, with the latest saying anyone who opposes their views should be beheaded. They've created unrest. Inspired loners who feel their cause is worthy enough to die in a violent haze taking as many with them as possible. Who knows how far-reaching their actions will be.

As Baroness Warsi, said: "We all have a responsibility, including the media, not to give airtime to extremist voices - idiots and nutters who speak for no one but themselves."

So why promote their message? Who cares what that message is? Who cares who they are? What they've done and what they believe is never going to make sense to 99% of the population and only serves to add fuel to the fire. Why would I want to listen to their twisted logic? Simply, I don't.

I say take away their voice, remove their names and identities, and focus on the people who did the right thing. Those three women who were so, so brave to walk up to a crazed madman, hands stained with blood and carrying weapons; Gemini Donnelly-Martin, 20, her mother Amanda, 44, and Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, 48. Then there's the victim's family and friends, his small toddler who'll one day grow up and see in full detail his father's murderers standing over his dad's lifeless body.

When terrorism strikes, in any form, if we stop giving those responsible a chance to air their message, if we stop plastering their faces over front pages and listening to their hate-filled speech, perhaps they'll realise their efforts are futile.

What do you think? Are we right to be informed of every detail? Should footage of the murderers have been broadcast? Or should we keep them silenced? Let us know below or tweet us @sixoutoftenmag