When somebody is charged with a crime, should the media be allowed to publish their full name and a mugshot? If your answer is "yes", what's your reasoning? - ThreadSky

easterncoyote.bsky.social • 16 hours ago

When somebody is charged with a crime, should the media be allowed to publish their full name and a mugshot?

If your answer is "yes", what's your reasoning?

Comments

jesselucas13.bsky.social•14 hours ago

If the crime is of a predatory nature (any variety of bodily assault) then I care more about giving my loved ones the info on someone to avoid for their safety. Anything less severe than transgressing another person's body, or being some form of present danger doesn't merit the info release

easterncoyote.bsky.social•3 hours ago

Let's establish something first: should the media be allowed to publish names and photos of people who've been criminally charged, but not convicted? What if a jury later finds them innocent?

cloudygrayfox.bsky.social•16 hours ago

What is the crime? My neighbors horse blanket got stolen off her fence. No on that one. Major crimes. Probably. I live in a small town in a low pop county with only Facebook for that info. So it also depends on where you’re located.

ralphsnyder.bsky.social•13 hours ago

I think this is the wrong question. The media can publish any verified information they have.

The right question is is whether the police or courts should release that information.

And the answer is no because it is prejudicial.

easterncoyote.bsky.social•3 hours ago

Incorrect. There are ethical standards that reputable publications must adhere to. Otherwise, people would lose their jobs, to say nothing of the barrage of lawsuits they'd be facing.

Other countries have different opinions on what constitutes ethical reporting. But there are still rules to follow.

rory.bgay.social•16 hours ago

I think it depends on the crime. If it's a violent crime then people should know who to avoid when they get out. Like I want to know who not to date if they've been convicted of rape or something. But if they just sold some drugs or stole something for instance, no reason to advertise that.

neurotox.bsky.social•16 hours ago

I believe in freedom of information, however I also believe in accountability. Being charged with a crime does not mean guilt. In cases of sensitive life-altering crimes, discretion is preferable until a firm verdict has been made. Innocent lives have been ruined from publicity too soon in the past.

neil-ramsay.com•16 hours ago

No. Not with a charge. Conviction? Yes. Then it becomes a matter of public interest. But just a charge, no. Booking photos are inherently prejudicial, and I don't consider it ethical.

yvonnelenk.bsky.social•15 hours ago

Interesting question. Why do we want names and mugshots published? Is it about justice-or more about public shaming? Could it be that we use this as a form of social control to reinforce our own sense of security? And what happens to those who turn out to be innocent later?

cyclelicious.bsky.social•16 hours ago

I've long wondered why arrest records are a thing if we have presumption of innocence.

tapestrybeast.bsky.social•16 hours ago

The only time I think those should be kept are cases on domestic violence, stalking, harassment etc. Even if nothing comes of it, it's good to have; people who do those things tend to intimidate their targets into dropping or not pressing charges, but patterns are useful. Esp w/ multiple targets

tapestrybeast.bsky.social•16 hours ago

(I worked at a DV advocacy clinic, and also have been a target of stalking with violent intent, and repeated arrests for multiple targets makes a HUGE difference)

sotisse.bsky.social•16 hours ago

It's a public record. I dislike doxxing - too much mob mentality & doxxing innocent people - but media can go to a police or court website to get the information.

tinal1971.bsky.social•15 hours ago

Unless convicted, no.

easterncoyote.bsky.social•3 hours ago

What if the conviction is for a minor crime?

dev2024.bsky.social•15 hours ago

In nearly all cases, no. Most crimes are unworthy of destroying someone's reputation long-term. Unfortunately, I believe that encourages the individual to do more crime, not less.

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply