Twitter is suspending the accounts of any users who share graphic images relating to the alleged beheading of American photojournalist James Foley.

CEO of the social network Dick Costolo announced the company’s decision in a tweet this morning.

We have been and are actively suspending accounts as we discover them related to this graphic imagery. Thank you https://t.co/jaYQBKVbBF — dick costolo (@dickc) August 20, 2014

He added that Twitter have already been deleting the accounts of those showing the graphic images.

The news comes as many users have complained about graphic images appearing on their news feeds without any warning.

Islamic State insurgents released a video late last night purportedly showing the beheading of US journalist James Foley, who had gone missing in Syria nearly two years ago, and images of another US journalist whose life they said depended on US action in Iraq.

The video, titled "A Message To America," was posted on social media websites. It was not immediately possible to verify its authenticity.

Foley, who has reported in the Middle East for five years, was kidnapped on November 22, 2012, by unidentified gunmen. Steven Sotloff, who appeared at the end of the video, went missing in northern Syria while he was reporting in July 2013.

A Twitter account set up by Foley's family to help find him said early on Wednesday: "We know that many of you are looking for confirmation or answers. Please be patient until we all have more information, and keep the Foleys in your thoughts and prayers."

The White House said that US intelligence agents were working to verify the authenticity of the video.

Online Editors