Graphic images of the beheaded American journalist have sparked a passionate social-media debate — with some users defending their news value and others branding them tasteless and insensitive.

Twitter took its own stand Wednesday, announcing it would freeze accounts that shared images or video of freelance reporter James Wright ­Foley’s gruesome death.

“Don’t share this terrorist propaganda. #James­Foley deserved more than being shared for no purpose – support #ISIS­MediaBlackout,” wrote @EmmaLucyOwens.

But @LCplSwofford wrote, “I don’t agree with #ISISMediaBlackout. Sometimes people need be confronted with reality.”