New Haven Independent Ethics

The New Haven Independent faced an important ethical issue that appears to have been dealt with in the most personable and careful manner. Melissa Bailey, the reporter for the Independent had to decide whether or not she should use some of the updates posted by someone she "friended" on Facebook. The updates had the ability to be crucial to the advancement of a huge story in their area, and it would have continued to give the Independent the lead for reporting on this story.

However, Bailey was responsible to Jessica Del Rocco in terms of keeping her posts private. Del Rocco had a private profile in that not everyone could read the profile if they wanted to without becoming her Facebook friend. She had her information available to her "friends" but not for pure public consumption. If Del Rocco had accepted Bailey's request to do an interview to further that side of the story, I could understand how Bailey could feel more comfortable using the information. But because Del Rocco declined to do the interview, it should be assumed that she wanted more privacy than she was willing to concede from having her Facebook posts be available for the general public to read.

Although the story would have been advanced well, Bass had consider what was in the best interest of the Del Rocco. I think that they did a great job in stopping to first consider what the ethical decision in this case will be. For journalists who are pressing hard to stay ahead in an important story, that is an incredibly invaluable first step. Bass correctly considered privacy of Facebook as opposed to general posting on a blog or of something that had free reign on the internet without permission of a "friend."

If they did not run the post updates directly from Del Rocco, in my opinion, they made the right decision.