The pictures of Budd Dwyer are tricky. Reporters and photographers need to establish a line on whether to print or not to print questionable photos. I draw the line at picture 4a. I feel that most people reading the story are old enough to see a man point a gun into his mouth. Some people might say that picture 3a is not appropriate for children. However, do you think that children are reading this story? I doubt it. As far as picture 4a, I don't think this picture would be needed for the story. After reading the story and seeing picture 3a, the readers can infer that Dwyer shot himself.
Picture one is probably one that doesn't have to be used. Unless this dog was some hero, which I doubt, why would this be a major story? Since it's probably not a major story, why include this picture? This event had to have happened locally. This should not be used because children can relate to it. A small child can look at this picture and understand the situation. Even if that child can not read, he can get the idea of the story from the picture. There is a captive audience here, so you need regulation. Even though it was probably in a newspaper or on a Web site, regulation is needed because kids who can't read could still infer the meaning of this tragic situation.
I would not publish picture two. This story was probably a local story. I think the paper could find another picture, without the dead son, that could be used and portray the same emotion. A picture of the family crying or grieving would be just as efficient as this one. Since mothers and fathers never want to see their child in a body bag, or even imagine it, I don't think this picture is ethical.
Picture three is a graphic, yet not a bad picture to use for a publication. I don't think it is unethical to use it. I realize it would be horrible for this man's family to see this picture. However, if I was the editor, I would not run this photograph. They should use a photograph that shows the gun or one that shows the actual killer. If they choose to use pictures of the victims, I would not just show one victim. Even though I don't think using this picture would be unethical, I feel like it would be wrong in regards to representing the story.
Picture four is not real. According to class, this boy is OK. I can't really see someone not dying from this and therefore I think the picture is false. I would publish this picture. Since he is OK, it's not like the picture will affect him or his family much. If it is real, what publisher wouldn't want to run it? People will think it is an outrageous picture. After seeing it, they will definitely want to keep reading the publication. This picture is totally ethical, if it's real.
Picture five is clearly on the other side of the line. This clearly represents a horrible event for this girl. Numerous men groping a girl is a not an image to recreate. This event probably caused years and years of heartache for this girl and her family. These guys should be ashamed of themselves. Alcohol does this to some men. This picture is unethical. I would never use this picture for my publication.
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