Blog 3 – Thoughts on the Oweida Lecture
This week on Tuesday, I attend the Oweida Lecture by Bill Marimow editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who is also a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, former top editor for National Public Radio and the Baltimore Sun. Marimow shared his thoughts on the ethics in journalism and stories of ethical decisions he had to make as a journalist.
Part 1. Situation Definition
During the Oweida Lecture by Bill Marimow he shared two main issues of naming the victim.
Marimow first mentioned about a 10 year old boy, who was first identified by “Little Isaac”. He was a part of a major drug affiliation and played the role of a look out for the drug members. Marimow said, “Little Isaac mother gave permission for his name and information to be released”, he was not comfortable with releasing the name and information. Even though at first it was going to be released, but in the ending conclusion it was not. Only using a shadowed photo and not releasing his full name the story was done without sharing the little boy’s identity.
Second, at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Marimow also faced another ethical issue. It was based on, a young girl who was kidnap from school during parent pick up in Philadelphia, Pa. The victim’s name and information was released on amber alert so Marimow said, he did not think “there wouldn’t be any harm” with releasing information on the victim. Using only her name and not a photo at first Marimow was unsure if the victim was sexually assaulted during her state of when she was kidnap. After she was found, the victim’s family asked not to release her name or any other information. Marimow said, “No longer using her name or photo to identity her” practicing to never release the name of a victim of assault. Even though that information is unknown within this case.
Part 2. Analysis
Marimow mentioned for his decisions on the ethical issues of releasing the name or certain information in each case he shared. He consulted a senior editor to get a second opinion. Marimow said, “If you have to hesitate or pause do not do it.”
In the article, “Protecting victims’ identities in press coverage of child victimization” stated, “When the names of child victims and other identifying information appear in the media it can exacerbate trauma, complicate recovery, discourage future disclosures and inhibit cooperation with authorities for the children involved” (Jones, Finkelhor & Beckwith, 2010). This shows that releasing information can do extreme to a child.
Even in the case of Cynthia Cohn, who was a part of “a rape-murder.” Her family faced was tormented after her name was released (12 Marq.Sports L. Rev. 501 2001-2002). In this case naming the victim as we see can have a huge impact on his or her family also.
Journalist should practice not to release names of victims who have been victimized because the outcome of what will happen to the victim is unknown. I feel that this should be a decision up to the victim of whether their name should be released or not.
Part 3. Conclusion:
The most important lesson I have learned is that it is important as a journalist to get a second opinion on things that you are uncertain of. It is better to receive advice from the editor or other journalist on something that you have to hesitate or pause about. Especially in some of the cases Bill Marimow mentioned. I think that it is important to discuss these issues because most journalists do come across a case or story that they might have to hesitate or pause about what to do. Something such as naming the victim of assault is a good example of why a journalist should receive a second opinion on what to do.
Part 4. References:
12 Marq. Sports L. Rev. 501 (2001-2002)
Sports Heroes, Sexual Assault and the Unnamed Victim; Wiegand, Shirley A.
http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/mqslr12&div=23&g_sent=1&collection=journals#507
Jones, L. M., Finkelhor, D., & Beckwith, J. (2010). Protecting victims’ identities in press coverage of child victimization. 11(3), 347-367. Retrieved from http://jou.sagepub.com/content/11/3/347.short