Re: Media Ethics Discussion -- COM101 Mass Communications

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Date Posted: 13:25:35 12/12/08 Fri
Author: Laura Koscuk (Topic #4)
Subject: Re: Media Ethics Discussion
In reply to: Richard Lenoce 's message, "Media Ethics Discussion" on 17:59:45 11/21/08 Fri

A few months ago, a newspaper in Massachusetts started publishing photographs daily of alleged drug offenders. The paper prints these pictures of people arraigned on drug charges to inform the public of the drug problem in the area. Are these pictures being used to help control the drug problems, or is the newspaper using these photos for their own good? The newspaper claimed it was the biggest reaction the from the public in 30 years. It mentioned nothing about the pictures leading the police to information about drug dealers. I don�t think exposing pictures of these people is the correct way to improve the drug problems in this world. I understand the number of drug users increases daily. But I believe there are better actions that can be taken to decrease these numbers. The journalists of this newspaper need to let the police do their job, without interferences.

Why does this newspaper only publish photos of drug offenders? What makes someone charged with possession of marijuana any worse than someone with a DUI or DWI? A person charged with possession of a drug is usually only damaging their own body. Whereas the intoxicated person could have potentially crashed into another vehicle, hurting others. Which one of these crimes is really worse? Why shouldn�t the photos of DUI offenders be published too? I don�t believe newspapers should have the right to decide which arrestee�s face should be placed in a newspaper.

Everyone convicted of a crime is granted the right to a fair trial. I believe their right is being violated by this newspaper. The Contempt of Court Act of 1981 prevents media from publishing certain material about a criminal case until the trial is over and a verdict is decided (Law). Arraignment is one of the early stages to a case, therefore the media in this case is potentially interfering with these possible trials. There is no reason these people�s faces should have been published.

The Sex Offender Registry is a places where photos of convicted predators are displayed. As of 2008, it is a law in all 50 states that sex offenders are to register their present address. States who fail to conform, lose 10% of their federal funds (eHow). I agree with their faces being shown to the public because all of these people have been found guilty. Why is it a law that sex offenders photos and home addresses be published for the public to see, whereas illicit drug users aren�t required? The sex offenders are exposed this way because they are different then drug offenders. A drug offender is typically hurting him/herself. Even the people who are arraigned on charges of drug distribution, are still not hurting a human being as a sexual predator would. Drug distributors are around because people voluntarily go to these people to get their fix. Whereas the victim of these horrible sexual acts are held against their own will.

In short, newspapers should just continue to write the police reports without including photographs. I understand there is a problem throughout America with drugs. However, publishing photographs of people arraigned on drug charges is not going to improve the problem. Today there is nearly 1.5 million American�s in prison because of drug. Also 80% of all American prisoners are in jail for drug related offenses (RDI). Obviously people feel that doing drugs outweighs the consequences. One way to decrease the number of drug users is to increase the penalty if convicted. In addition, most of the drugs are imported into this country. I think there needs to be more security on our borders. People are going to continue to use drugs as long as they are available. Focus needs to be made on drug manufacturing and distribution, rather than drug possession.

eHow. 11 Dec. 2008 http://www.ehow.com/

FindLaw. Thomson Reuters. 11 Dec. 2008 http://www.findlaw.com

Recreational Drugs Information. 11 Dec. 2008 http://www.a1b2c3.com/drugs

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Replies:

Re: Media Ethics Discussion -- Ashley Maternowski, 11:43:10 12/13/08 Sat