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| Bombing of PanAm Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland |
Legal and Ethical Issues Related to Media Disaster Coverage
Randy Rask
Lesson 2 Reading Summary
Reference:
Andrews, Kate. (1989, Summer). Legal and ethical issues related to media disaster coverage. Journalism Educator, Vol. 44, Issue 2, pp. 50-76.
Theme:
Focuses on why ethical coverage of disasters can be important. This article refers to the specific disaster of Pan Am Flight 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. Explains why people think that media may be crossing the line and why media believes that ethical coverage is important.
Summary:
-On December 21, 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 was flying over Lockerbie, Scotland when the aircraft suddenly exploded.
-Among those on board were 35 students. 25 of these students were on a study abroad trip in London and attended Syracuse University where journalist instructor Kate Andrews worked.
-Kate Andrews heard the horrific news and was called to cover the story. She had reported many horrific tragedies, but none hit as close to home as this.
- Students had a very difficult time dealing with the journalists and reporters because of their efforts in trying to cover their grief, pain, and emotions.
-Many students felt as if the journalists, including Kate Andrews, were crossing the line.
- Kate explains how she had to teach her students the importance of covering these emotions. She states how pain has no boundaries and it can prove to be dangerous to shield people from viewing pain. How can media decipher between what is to unethical to cover and what isn't?
-If critics are able to define what is "important" or which "truths" can be shown, then a free press will not last. Who is allowed to decide what society is allowed to know?
Application to lesson topic:
This article can relate to the lesson topic because it talks about how the press is there to do a service to society. Without press, citizens will not be able to get coverage of tragedies such as the crash of Pan Am Flight 103. Although it may seem unethical to many people, to have the freedom of press, there cannot be critics defining what is or is not important for the media to cover.
Application to Emergency Services:
Media and Emergency Services are both out there to serve the same purpose. They are both there to serve the public. This article explains how for the media to serve that purpose. We as emergency responders need to try and be aware of that on emergency scenes. We need to realize that they are not just there to be an annoyance and be in the way, but they are there to exercise their right to freedom of press and to inform citizens of these tragedies. Some people may not agree with media, but who is to say what they are and are not allowed to cover.
