Ethics Tip Sheet

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=158630

The ethics case I decided to read about discussed how one should react if Obama lifted the ban on showing flag draped caskets of fallen soldiers. Al Thompkins, the writer of this article, wants to know the answer to a lot of questions on how this would raise certain issues for journalists. The basis of the problem for journalists would be trying to figure out buffers to the public and their use of these photos if they are allowed to do so. Thompkins interviewed several people associated with Poynter Online and they believed that this is a timeless question. The President of Poynter says that this very same issue still exists when showing pictures from our nation's past wars. When this very question was posed as a survey among Americans in the last 20 years, a significant majority had no problem with lifting the ban. Even a mother of a soldier killed in September of 2009 said she would have loved to see the ceremonial treatment of her son's casket upon its return to American soil. She went on to say that she was very much in favor of full media coverage of a soldier's return ceremony. However, Kelly McBride, Poynter's Ethics Group Leader, says that repeatedly showing these photos will have a cumulative effect that journalists will have to heavily consider. She goes on to say that the public judges journalists on their individual decisions and news judgment. They also have to take into consideration how the presentation of these photos will heighten the emotions of the public, positively or negatively. By providing a deeper story behind the photos, though, the public may be more accepting of the lifting of the ban.
Personally, I do not see a problem with lifting the ban. However, the public distribution of these photos must be done tastefully and respectfully. I think it would be an extremely significant movement towards making those not directly impacted by the war, a little more conscious of it. It is so easy for those who do not have family serving to look past it or forget about it from time to time. That is the biggest problem about being engaged in such a long and devastating conflict. The public must remain aware of the situation we are in and that there are people out there losing their lives daily so that we may go on to live ours. The only stipulation I would have is that the family of the fallen soldier is given the right as to whether or not their loved one's coffin is displayed publicly.