1.) Would you run these photos?
2.) What criteria did you use to make a decision?
3.) Under what circumstances would you run the photos?
4.) Would your decision be different if the events were local?
5.) Does where or how you play the photo have any bearing in your decision?
6.) With which photo did you struggle the most? Why?
A boy and his dog
I would not run this photo. It is undoubtedly a good picture and it captures the raw emotion of the scene, but I cannot think of a circumstance where it would be news-worthy or contribute to a story. The pain shown in the face of the boy is something most have felt or can at least imagine. Thus, I don't think readers would gain much from seeing the picture, but I can't see that ever happening. If there were a strong calling for the use of this picture, I think it could be printed. My decision would not be affected by the location of the publication.
Rescue worker consoling a family
I would not run this photo under any circumstance. To run this picture would be far too intrusive to the family and to show the dead child would be too graphic for nearly any publication. Again, I cannot think of a time when there would be a strong enough need for this picture to be run, although I would have too many reservation about publishing it to do so. If the story were local, I would not run this picture, as a higher percentage of readers would know the subjects and it would again be very intrusive. Out of respect for the family, this photo should never be run.
Bud Dwyer
I would consider running this picture, although if it is part of a series, I might choose to print a picture taken earlier in the sequence. Since Dwyer is a public figure and the circumstances regarding his suicide are of public interest, the story is more news-worthy and there is a stronger public right to know (In Pennsylvania, at least). The fact that the bullet is in his head makes it a tough call, too. I would only consider running the picture in Pennsylvania, but I don't know if readers would really gain from seeing it, as one could easily imagine what this scene would look like. I struggled with this decision the most, as I don't know what the proper judgement is regarding whether or not pictures of dead people should be run and I don't know whether Dwyer is still alive or not.
Printing plant
I wouldn't run this picture. I feel it's too graphic to print and that to do so would be disrespectful to the family. It's not the place of the media to exploit the emotions behind death and that while the plant shooting is newsworthy, this picture doesn't help tell the story beyond the fact that this is what a dead person look like. Location of the publication would not influence my decision, as I would not run the picture.
Boy on fence
I also had a lot of trouble with this picture. I don't think I'd run it due to the strong shock value it carries. Still, the boy survives and it is surely an interesting story. In this case, I think the picture would help carry the story. In fact, the picture and this cutline are all I would really have to see. To run this story without the graphic would not be as effective. Still, I don't know how news-worthy this picture is beyond being interesting, so I don't know if its publication could be justified. To print this picture wouldn't be intrusive to the boy, so I don't think the location of the publication would influence my decision. After getting over my initial shock to the picture, I was able to look at it comfortably and I think that most readers could also gain this level of comfort after spending some time with it.
Mardi Gras
I would not run this picture. It is far too intrusive to the girl, even though her face is blurred. Also, I do not know how I would feel about running it with the faces of all who were involved. Is it far that only half of the spectators can be identified? This is evidence of a serious crime, yet only half of those present could face consequences as a result of this picture being published. There is no doubt that all involved should face the consequences, but I don't think it would be fair to punish only half of them. This picture is also too graphic to print. While it is "censored," the scene is too raw and adult in content to publish, regardless of location. I don't think there would be a need to run the picture, either. It's an easy scene to picture and I don't think the reader would benefit enough from this picture to justify it being printed.
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