I have column out in the new edition of The American Editor from the American Society of Newspaper Editors, discussing the ethics of using Facebook to find information about crime and accident victims who have been killed.
I've discussed this with a bunch of you, many of whom have told me wrenching stories about losing young friends and seeing it play out on FB.
What do you think of this? Is it fair game for reporters? Does it weird you out? Feel voyeuristic? I'd love to read your comments.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Facebook and Reporting
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16 comments:
On the one hand, we could look at it as just another tool to carefully gather information with. I insist on saying "carefully" because obviously there is nothing monitoring the truth of things posted on facebook.
On the other hand it would be incredibly disturbing to be contacted by a reporter about your friend who had passed away, and not know how they got your name.
I can't speak for other networking sites, but I can say pretty confidently that Facebook offers extensive privacy protection options.
I think many people, especially students, fail to take advantage of these options. They aren't exactly made clear unless you poke around.
Still, in theory, we (Facebook users) control what we want to be made public. Therefore, reporters and the public should be able to access whatever we show to them.
In practice, however, it does seem in poor taste. It reminds me of looking through someone's diary after they have died just because they left it sitting out on their bedside table.
First, people post on Facebook what they want the public to know about themselves (if they did anything different, that's just stupid). Therefore, I find it to be a fair tool for reporters to find information.
Second, as a reporter, Facebook might be a good starting point on investigating a story, but by no means should it be your only source on the issue being covered. Facebook can be helpful, but also unreliable as far as truth goes.
I agree with Chelsey. If a person posts their profile info and pics on facebook/myspace w/o changing the privacy settings, then they know exactly who has access to it so its perfectly fine for reporters to peruse and provide links to themin an article.
That said, it would be unethical, insensitive, and STUPID to cite any information posted on facebook/myspace in a news article. That's like quoting wikipedia or bathroom stall graffiti.
As unfortunate as it is that journalists dig up information through Facebook after an individual passes away, it's frightening to acknowledge that this is what media reporting has succumb to.
However, there is some truth to what is behind a person's facebook profile. Your interests or your tagged photos of you and your friends uniquely mold a virtual person from this new-era of social networking that reveals a part of you essentially.
Realistically, however, journalists aren't the only ones searching the profiles of a student who died. Once people find out that someone passed away, it's inevitable that students will type their name in their search option because they are intrigued to know who this person was, and maybe even share similar friends.
To be honest I think everyone is giving a little to much credit to the average Facebook user. As "atm" said, the privacy features aren't really spelled out in front of you and I doubt many people actively seek them out.
That said (as seems to be the consensus) no one should be naïve enough to post any information they don't want getting out and they SHOULD always check privacy issues and such before joining a site like Facebook--I just don't think they do.
I agree with 'atm'...it does seem in poor taste and the diary example is what rushes through my mind when this topic is brought up. Is it absolutely necessary to dig through Facebook to find information on the deceased? After all, Facebook has not been around that long and reporters did a fine job of finding information "the old fashioned way" before.
I think if people are putting information out there on facebook, they have to understand that there is potential for anyone to see it. However, I dont think that a reporter should be using facebook as a tool for contacting people's friends and such.
On a different note, I think it is extremely sad to see a Facebook profile of a college student who has recently passed away. I have seen profiles of students that have recently died and their friends post on their "wall" and write messages like, "We miss you..." etc. etc. While this may be a coping mechanism and a way to say your goodbyes, I think it's impersonal and as an outsider, odd to look at.
Not only is this an interesting and especially relevant topic, it's neat to read something our professor has written! I know I'm missing the point of debate, but cool to see our professor walk the walk.
As far as the ethics go, I'm with that girl quoted in the last paragraph. I'm sending my friend my password in case something ever happens to me. As far as facebook goes, it allows people to portray an image of oneself they want to portray, which is most likely disproportionate to their personalities. I know, looking at my pictures alone, how some people may mistakenly label me as something I'm not. I don't think it's fair for journalists to take advantage of this, especially if no one's there to play defense.
My friend passed away a a few years ago and his facebook account is still active. Every once in a while I look him up to see what people have written on his wall. Over the years people have posted comments telling him that they are thinking about him, that he's in their prayers, etc. I feel like his facebook page has almost become a place for people to go to feel connected to him and communicate to him. Numerous people have posted poems or song lyrics. On the anniversary of his death his wall is covered with RIP and "missing you" comments. While I agree that people have the right to privacy, my friend's facebook page has become a place where people can feel connected to him. Whether posting on his wall or adding pictures from the past, his profile is now a place where people who are mourning him can reach out to him and those who mourn him as well.
i don't know if anyone has been following the "battle" between the daily cardinal and the criticalbadger.com about a columnist and her facebook, but it's pretty relevant to what we're talking about.
if anyone doesn't know, the daily cardinal columnist wrote an opinion piece about students' necessity to act their age and avoid using racially and sexually inappropriate language, etc. the internet bloggers went on her facebook and found a photo album titled "we're gay" and have criticized her - some have been more harsh than others - and words have been exchanged and such.
just thought this was interesting because it's an ongoing event on our campus.
I think that this is a very interesting subject. Also, I have heard that employers look at facebook/myspace to get information on the people they are looking at hiring. I don't know, I just feel as a facebook user that I need to be responsible with what I put up there.
As far as if somebody passes away, I don't think it is very appropriate for a reporter to base his/her story off of info from facebook because you really don't get a good feel for what that person was like. I like what "cassiecolson" said as far as the "old fashioned way." I just don't feel facebook is that reliable of a source.
Yes, people who are on facebook put themselves out in the public simply because that is the nature of the specific social network. It is also true that some young individuals are truly disconnected with the fact that the info you post can be seen by almost anyone. Sometimes, if feels like you have some sort of community on facebook, and it are those people within your community that are checking out your profile and pictures. But in actuality, any stranger who wants to get to it sees that info. I definitely find it uncomfortable and invasive, though that is all part of the social network called facebook.
It is wierd to think that reporters can access this information, but if it could help in attaining accurate facts I think it is a good source. I do not, however, like that fact that clubs and companies are using facebook as a means of "checking" in on what their potential members do in their spare time--should it matter what someone does outside of the workplace?
I do also agree that one shouldn't put up things they don't want others to potentially see.
-I agree that it would really suck to die and then leave a legacy of documented drunken reveling on Facebook. And what's more, it would be a skewed legacy, because a lot of times a good majority of those photos/comments are from parties and stupid stuff that you did, and that stuff isn't balanced out by an equal representation of the 'wholesome' side of you. But... I still think that it's a choice to have a facebook account (I sure you know people that simply say no to the whole thing too) and if you're willing to put all that information up while you're alive, you had ought to deal with it being up when you're dead (either that or figure out a way to have it taken down if something were to happen to you). Sounds harsh, but there some heartless reporters out there that can be a-holes and they'll do what they need to to 'get the story.'
Plus, facebook does have those privacy settings. Not knowing about them and then wimpering about it is almost as stupid as telling a police officer that you didn't know that something was illegal and then not expect to be reprimanded for it. On a more sympathetic note, though, I do wish that in this world that we could pull the "I didn't know..." card more often, but that's just not how it is sometimes.
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