Journalism & Social Networking

[The High Heat]

My local newspaper ruffled a few feathers this morning by publishing the name of a fatal shooting victim before his family had been notified. Their source for his identity was Facebook. They have since revised the story and omitted the Facebook reference, instead citing merely "a news tip."

 

This is the story: Fatal shooting on 10th Street.

 

This is the revised pararagraph:

 

"Police would not identify the victim, saying they were waiting to notify relatives. However, The Daily Reflector received a news tip identifying the victim as Tommy Falcone, 22, of Red Banks, New Jersey. His identity has since been confirmed by multiple sources. An East Carolina University spokesman said Falcone was a former student."

 

Originally it stated they had gotten this information via Facebook. The comments underneath the story still reflect this.

 

We know that news outlets use social networks to release information to its readers, but where is the line for gathering and releasing information, especially without additional confirmation? And isn't it still ethical and respectful to wait until the family has been notified in the case where a death has occured? Personally I think the name could have been witheld until the family had been notified. This is an online story at this point and can be updated as the story progresses. So why the hurry? Fortunately, the family is in NJ and this is NC, but still, respect for the family should always come first.