The case study that I will be analyzing in this paper is from the Sacramento Union and their decision whether to publish a photograph depicting death and tragedy of a young boy. The boy, Lamphone Keovoravoth, is only seven-years-old and is seen in the photograph “limp in the policeman’s arms,”( Vesley, Indiana University). The boy was swimming in the Sacramento River despite strong river current warnings and drowned. Two intense ethical concerns that I have found in this case study are whether a picture depicting death and grief should be published and also the right to privacy since this is a sensitive story for the family of the boy.
The first ethical concern that I found in this case was whether a picture depicting death, especially of a young boy should be published. In most cases, it is the journalist’s duty to minimize harm and to make sure that what they are publishing could hurt someone else. Some images that are published could be too graphic for some audiences and that is the case of the journalist to make the decision about whether should publish it. The image that was published isn’t so graphic, but it is tragic and sensitive for some people. For some who have family members that have drowned or just seeing death can make people really alarmed. The Society of Professional Journalist’s says to “balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness”(SPJ). But then it is also the journalist’s duty to tell the readers all of the story and to not hide facts from the people. The boy drowning in the river is the story and the journalist’s for the paper decided that it was better to show than to just tell in this case. It is an emotional piece that would connect people and it’s in the community.
The second ethical concern in this case study is the right to privacy of the family of the boy whether it is being sensitive to them publishing the photo. Again I cite the Society of Professional Journalists when handling this decision about a photograph that will most definitely affect the boy’s family. The ultimate goal is to “show compassion to those who may be affected by news coverage…and consider cultural differences in approach and treatment”(SPJ). The case study clearly states that the family are Cambodian refugees so handling this situation you need to be sensitive in how to communicate and understand their culture. Plus their son is only seven-years-old so that would be really difficult on them as well. Ultimately the newspaper decided that not publishing the story and picture is a”greater offense” than offending the community and family. George E. Padgett writes in the Journal of Mass Media Ethics about exploitation and privacy as photojournalists in cases such as this case study. According to Padgett, journalists are trying to “emotionalize” the news and barging into funeral homes not respecting the moral and just privacy of the grievers. It is “irresponsible and unethical” that journalists should be discouraged to do this. He states that “it may make good copy and there may be some readers or viewers who are interested, but those readers have neither the need nor the right to know in such situations”( Padgett, p. 51). Ultimately, Padgett is discouraging what the Sacramento Union did because it goes against the principle of privacy and showing compassion to those affected by the news. But then also going back to one of the above code of ethics about balancing the public’s right to know.
Personally, I think that the Sacramento Union could have showed a little more compassion for the family and been a little more sensitive. Yes, this is hard news, but it’s about a young boy drowning. That is tragic and emotional for anyone who has a child. I can sympathize with the family and community. If I were the editor deciding whether to publish the photo, I would ask the family first whether they are okay with the paper publishing the photo. That is something that will be in newspaper records, online, etc. An easy access to be reminded of the tragedy. If the family said no to publishing it, then do I follow the wishes of the family? That is also tricky because as a journalist you need to be careful making promises to sources. Hiding the truth from the community and readers is not ethically correct. So in this case, I would publish the story and the picture but being sensitive in not showing too much. Maybe if there is a picture of the sheet over the body. That way the face of the minor/boy is not shown to show sensitivity and compassion for the family.
Works Cited
Padgett, G. E. (1985-1986). Codes Should Address Exploitation of Grief by Photographers. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 1(1), 50-52. Retrieved November 3, 2017, from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&sid=cbfd096a-4876-4093-977e-bee2147d11d0%40sessionmgr4006.
Society of Professional Journalists. (2014, September 6). SPJ Code of Ethics. Retrieved November 3, 2017, from https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp.
Vesely, J. F. (n.d.). Bringing Death Close. Retrieved November 3, 2017, from http://mediaschool.indiana.edu/research-2/ethics-case-studies/bringing-death-close/.