Broadcast journalists for WDBJ, Alison Parker and Adam Ward were shot and killed by their former coworker, Bryce Williams. He did this during a live interview as he videotaped the incident. This tragedy causes several intense ethical messages: WDBJ sending reporters out without safety and news outlets airing the video (along with the audio and still photos).
Social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter circulated this graphic video that showed the murders of two journalists out in the field, including the graphic sound in the video. The graphic content circulated on the social media sites until it was forced off by the companies. “New York Daily News decided to publish three still frames from Flanagan’s phone video of the incident on their front pages” (Bowerman 2015). This caused much outrage and controversy among readers. Was this ethical? Then we see ABC World News Tonight who did not broadcast the video at all while reporting on the event. NBC Nightly News decided to use a still frame. CBS Evening News showed a 25-second clip from the video. What parts did they decide to show? The gruesome parts? CNN was the only one of the broadcasts to show the video footage of the shooting. CNN aired the footage once every hour on the same day, but then shortly stopped airing it hours later (Ariens 2015).
Using graphic content (like video, still frames, photos, and audio) in news reports is unethical. “Data from the Cultural Indicators project were used to make inferences regarding the potential impact of television programming on issues related to fear of crime, alienation and insecurity, and other aspects of social reality” (Ferguson 2015). Preventing viewers from being negatively affected by violent media is our number one priority in terms of making ethical decisions. Most of the news stations listed above acted unethically, not taking this point into consideration. Showing graphic content has consequences, hence the reason why there was much controversy surrounding the topic of still frames being put on the front page and the video footage airing on the evening broadcasts.
Aristotle’s gold mean provides a moderate solution when the alternatives are likely to be unsatisfactory. If this graphic content doesn’t air, citizens won’t rightfully be informed of what’s going on. If it does air, the gruesome acts of violence can traumatize the stakeholders in the situation.
Many credible sources support the statement that violent media can affect people whether it’s subtle and moderate, to extreme. This clearly justifies our opinion of deeming graphic content in violent news reports unethical. If we were to explain this to our colleagues, it would be a split decision. It is very hard to come to an ethical decision like this one, however, “Studies documented that exposure to violence increases viewer arousal and negative emotions which is indicative of activation of the aversive motivational system” (Samson and Potter 2015). Being that media usually does not depict media in a negative light, depending on the situation, many people believe violence can be justified. In Flanagan’s case, he thought that because his former coworkers disrespected him, violence was justified. Research further supports the claims of violence having a negative effect on viewers because, “Research has shown that media narratives typically frame violence as justified and legitimized in socially-acceptable ways (Samson and Potter 2015). Flanagan’s motives for committing this gruesome act were that he wanted revenge and attention. Therefore, showing this content can allow the perpetrator to tell the story.
Anyone sincerely affected by seeing graphic content, the victim’s loved ones, and innocent minded people can agree that censoring graphic content in violent media reports is the best ethical decision to make in journalism.
References
Ariens, Chris (August 27, 2015). “Of Evening Broadcasts, Only CBS Showed Gunman’s Video of Deadly Shooting”. TVNewser. Mediabistro Holdings. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
Bowerman, Mary (August 27, 2015). “‘New York Daily News’ cover causes outrage over graphic images of slain journalist”. USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved April 10, 2017
Ferguson, C. J. (2014). Does Media Violence Predict Societal Violence? It Depends on What You Look at and When.Journal of Communication,65(1). doi:10.1111/jcom.12129
Samson, L., & Potter, R. F. (2015). Empathizing and Systemizing (Un)justified Mediated Violence: Psychophysiological Indicators of Emotional Response. Media Psychology,19(1), 156-180. doi:10.1080/15213269.2015.1037959