Media (in)discretion

 So I am looking at Newspapers today and seeing pictures of Neeshad Ali's wife in her own grief. The pictures bring to me feelings of pity for her loss and disgust at the photographer and newspaper that published it...

Inside the newspaper is a photo, apparently taken in happier times,posted on facebook, of the couple. The entire article highlights the deceased's facebook comments and those of his brother. FACEBOOK?

Now, I believe in freedom of the press and investigative journalism but this is NOT news, this merely is intruding on a private moment of grief. Like so many perpetrated in past "to sell the story"...

I am reminded of the news pieces that Kalyzan Beharry (RIP) death had generated, some of which had alluded to her results and had named a band she listened too. How do those rumours relate?

Photographers and reporters make a living of regularly intruding on private moments of loss and pain. God forbid you or yours confront them. Then said media persons were "assulted", "provoked" or "attacked"...

Why are victims made into victims again by the media? Is it really that important that you capture a moment of grief, a stray word or a previous action? Just to sell a newspaper or more advertising?

Ever notice that the perpetrators of crime and their families are not set upon or hounded by media? Why not go harrass the family of the murderers and ask how they feel? Perhaps it is fear of reprisal...

Sometimes discretion is the better part of valour. Unfortunately, the less risky the proposition the less discretion media seems willing to exercise. Does this count as a form of bias and unfair reporting?

Report on an important issue. Report on why crime is so rampant, interview the criminals, the police. Do expose to shine light into that darkness. That is more productive than shining spotlight in victim's eyes to make them cry again...

wP