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Covering death
This is an interesting piece on a debate that has been going on sporadically in this newsroom, and I’m certain every other newsroom in the country, for as long as I’ve been here. Should we publish pictures of dead bodies?
For the record, I’m opposed. I don’t think they do anything other than shock. I say that with the caveat that there will always be exceptions. But they really should be that — exceptions, a story that is far outside the norm. And they should advance the story. An editor needs to ask whether publishing the photo really does tell part of the story that can be told no other way.
The argument from the other side is always that they tell a story, they happened, and why should we be fearful of putting something in the paper that was part of the day’s events.
The debate won’t be settled here, nor will it be settled anytime soon, if ever.
Comments
By Ralphie
July 1, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Denny—just remind your people it was freakin’ Geraldo. End of debate.