While public figures may be reported on, filming and circulating raw footage of an injured person awaiting medical care is not news — it is exploitation. Watching a loved one or a public figure in distress, unable to defend themselves, constitutes an invasion of privacy that no individual should ever have to endure, regardless of their public status or notoriety.

As a medical professional, I can say without question that this type of experience is profoundly traumatic. Broadcasting it violates basic standards of human dignity, medical ethics, and privacy, regardless of fame. In the medical field, we are trained to prioritize patient confidentiality and their emotional and physical well-being. Yet these basic tenets are disregarded for the sake of viewership and online traffic when raw, unfiltered footage of a person's suffering is circulated under the guise of news.

There is precedent for removing such content. In the past, concerted efforts have resulted in the takedown of sensitive footage that does nothing but sensationalize tragedy and trauma. Reporting an incident is appropriate; turning trauma into content is not. We have an obligation to respect the privacy and dignity of others, especially in their most vulnerable moments. This includes athletes like Anthony Joshua, who is not only an admired sportsman but also a human being deserving of care and respect.

Let us not forget that precedent has shown that platforms and media outlets have the capability to act when the public voice demands higher standards. We can work together to create a more ethical media landscape, and it starts with demanding the immediate removal of this footage from circulation.

The undersigned call for action from media outlets, social media platforms, and regulatory bodies to uphold ethical standards and protect individuals from such exploitative practices. Stand with us in demanding the removal and a clear ban on the circulation of traumatic medical footage involving Anthony Joshua and all individuals undeservingly subjected to such exposure.

Please sign this petition to enforce respect for human dignity and ethical journalism.