Letters: Reader objects to printing suspect’s address

At what point during the writing process do your writers stop to consider the privacy of all parties involved in the article?

For instance:

I read an article published recently about a man arrested for negligent homicide in the death of a 6-year-old boy. The man’s home address was listed.

Does the writer consider who else lives at that address?

Say a wife or children?

If the man does have a family who resides at the address and are not involved in the case, isn’t the writer then invading the privacy of his family and in this case potentially young children?

And as such putting these children at risk?

Does the media know no bounds?

Apparently not.

Nicole Davis Young

management consultant

Maurepas

Comments

1) Comment by vedder10 - 02/11/2012

I agree. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? They are putting peoples personal information out, their pictures all over the place, making them look like they were already convicted. I also think they should require the reporter to be responisble and make sure they get the information right before they publish a story that is just good for getting peoples attention.

2) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 30/10/2012

well if you are going to put his picture in the article how would he mistaken for your neighbor.

3) Comment by tradewinns - 29/10/2012

Politivore is correct. suppose your name is the same as someone who is arrested for child pornography, do you want your neighbors thinking it is you?

4) Comment by Politivore - 29/10/2012

Not saying it is right or wrong, but I think the reason they do this is to provide additional specificity so that people who share the same name with the accused aren't mistaken for the accused.

5) Comment by Politivore - 29/10/2012

Not saying it is right or wrong, but I think the reason they do this is to provide additional specificity so that people who share the same name with the accused aren't mistaken for the accused.

6) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 29/10/2012

Yes, it seems like to me as well , that this is not necessary. I can see where this adds untold grief to the family of the accused and does no good to the victim's family.

7) Comment by Bighug - 29/10/2012

I agree that such information should be withheld until the person is declaired guilty by a court of law.