Thoughtless actions by the press, intentional or not, can cause distress for victims of violence or other tragedy. That’s the caution from Linda Walker, mother of Dru Sjodin, a university student murdered in 2003. Walker spoke along with four other panalists as part of the Ethics in Journalism Week event organized by the Society of Professional Journalists Minnesota chapter and the University of Minnesota’s Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law. The theme of this year’s event was “Minimize Harm”
Walker offered the example of placing photos of victims and suspects side by side “as if they’re a couple” on a page or a television screen as a decision that needlessly causes harm to family members.
AP reporter Amy Forliti didn’t cover the Sjodin case, but revealed she wears a bracelet in Sjodin’s memory after visiting the memorial Dru’s Garden in Pequot Lakes. “I wear it every day,” Forliti said. In covering tragedies, Forliti said her “first responsibility is to the public. But it’s important to balance that with how what I report might affect the victims” and their families. Silha Center Director Jane Kirtley organized and moderated the event that asks what the media’s role is “When Tragedy Strikes”. Other panelists included WCCO-TV reporter Sue Turner, Bemidji Pioneer reporter Molly Miron and Nancy Sabin, Executive Director of the Jacob Wetterling Foundation.
View 4 photos from the event.
