4 ms·

In journalism (at least in one of the classes I took) there is an ongoing debate of anonymity while still being informative. The theoretical example we were giv

by all2 7y ago

In journalism (at least in one of the classes I took) there is an ongoing debate of anonymity while still being informative. The theoretical example we were given was of a deceased soldier. Do we share the name? The face? Both? The professor told us that professionally an editor will choose face or name, but not both in order to protect (to some extent) the identity of the subject, the subject's family, etc. I've not put a lot of thought into how this editorial decision needs to be changed in the face of newer tech (reverse image search, facial recognition, etc).

1000units 7y ago
How is a face without a name, or the ability to derive a name, informative? Is it intended for readers to do a physiognomy check? At best, this policy provides a lazy excuse to identify people without accepting responsibility for it. It also puts similar-looking people at risk. Has this professor published this opinion anywhere, and if so can you name him?
danso 7y ago
That's a weird example to use. Did the servicemember die on duty? I can't think of any situation in which a U.S. media outlet wouldn't publish both the name and photo (if the latter is available). There's generally no widely-held ethical (nor legal) issue from publishing info about a deceased person, military or not.
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
  You can’t see how there are legal and ethical issues with publish the name and photo of, say, a murder victim? Likely the details will become public information as a matter of course as the investigation and possible court case evolve, but “no issue” seems a stretch.
  - danso 7y ago
    No, I don't see those issue, at least in the U.S. Are you under the impression that the media is barred or discouraged from reporting when a murder happens, or who the victim is? * What would be the legal basis for that? As a recent example, 5 people were murdered in Milwaukee in a mass shooting on Wednesday. On Thursday, the identities of all 5 victims were released and publicized: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/28/milwaukee-shooting-co-workers-killed-molson-coors-identified/4901227002/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/28/milwau... edit: *added "or who the victim is"
    - TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
      Ok, not from the US, thanks for clarify.
      - danso 7y ago
        No problem, I'm glad I remembered to not assume everyone here is U.S.-based
  - reaperducer 7y ago
    You can’t see how there are legal and ethical issues with publish the name and photo of, say, a murder victim? Ethical issues, yes. Legal issues, no. In the Untied States, publishing the name of a murder victim is not illegal. It's a matter of public record.
- all2 7y ago
  I think the example was something to the effect of "this person died, the family hasn't been officially notified yet" or something. I don't remember clearly.
  - danso 7y ago
    OK, that makes more sense. There's no legal issue, but there are definitely highly varying opinions about the ethics of reporting someone's death before officials have announced it to the family. Kobe Bryant's death is a recent obvious example.
- reaperducer 7y ago
  I can't think of any situation in which a U.S. media outlet wouldn't publish both the name and photo It happens. I remember when I worked in newsrooms very occasionally the surviving spouse of a serviceman wouldn't want the death publicized. It was unusual, but it happens.

by all2 7y ago

1000units 7y ago

How is a face without a name, or the ability to derive a name, informative? Is it intended for readers to do a physiognomy check? At best, this policy provides a lazy excuse to identify people without accepting responsibility for it. It also puts similar-looking people at risk. Has this professor published this opinion anywhere, and if so can you name him?

danso 7y ago

That's a weird example to use. Did the servicemember die on duty? I can't think of any situation in which a U.S. media outlet wouldn't publish both the name and photo (if the latter is available). There's generally no widely-held ethical (nor legal) issue from publishing info about a deceased person, military or not.

TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
You can’t see how there are legal and ethical issues with publish the name and photo of, say, a murder victim? Likely the details will become public information as a matter of course as the investigation and possible court case evolve, but “no issue” seems a stretch.
- danso 7y ago
  No, I don't see those issue, at least in the U.S. Are you under the impression that the media is barred or discouraged from reporting when a murder happens, or who the victim is? * What would be the legal basis for that? As a recent example, 5 people were murdered in Milwaukee in a mass shooting on Wednesday. On Thursday, the identities of all 5 victims were released and publicized: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/28/milwaukee-shooting-co-workers-killed-molson-coors-identified/4901227002/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/28/milwau... edit: *added "or who the victim is"
  - TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago
    Ok, not from the US, thanks for clarify.
    - danso 7y ago
      No problem, I'm glad I remembered to not assume everyone here is U.S.-based
- reaperducer 7y ago
  You can’t see how there are legal and ethical issues with publish the name and photo of, say, a murder victim? Ethical issues, yes. Legal issues, no. In the Untied States, publishing the name of a murder victim is not illegal. It's a matter of public record.
all2 7y ago
I think the example was something to the effect of "this person died, the family hasn't been officially notified yet" or something. I don't remember clearly.
- danso 7y ago
  OK, that makes more sense. There's no legal issue, but there are definitely highly varying opinions about the ethics of reporting someone's death before officials have announced it to the family. Kobe Bryant's death is a recent obvious example.
reaperducer 7y ago
I can't think of any situation in which a U.S. media outlet wouldn't publish both the name and photo It happens. I remember when I worked in newsrooms very occasionally the surviving spouse of a serviceman wouldn't want the death publicized. It was unusual, but it happens.