So Many Questions Still Involving Ray Rice Controversy

Justin McCauley
jm257310@ohio.edu

The last few days are a great example of why you should ask these ethical questions when faced with these tough decisions. The NFL and all involved in the situation have seemed to forget to ask these questions when faced with the Ray Rice situation. Articles like this one describing the events of the last few days show just how much lapse in judgement everyone involved had.

Their have been a lot of different opinions of what the NFL should have done or what they think the NFL was thinking. This story has now transcended not just ESPN and the other sports networks. It is now on networks like CNN, Fox News, and satire shows like The Daily Show and Entertainment Tonight. With more opinions leads to more views of the video of Ray Rice punching his then fiance Janay Rice in the elevator. What I find interesting is that all these networks are showing this video over and over again and don't seem to have an issue with it. This all while active players were pleading during interviews to stop showing the video. Even Janay Rice, the victim, said she wished they would stop bringing it up all the time.

Picture of quote off Janay Rice Instagram from Dailynews.com/UK

So is it ethical to continue to show a violent video that the victim doesn't want to shown. Who says that they should continue to show it?When it comes to these journalists and networks should be asking these simple questions like; What are my alternatives to maximize my truth-telling responsibility and minimize harm? It is a question that for me I would have to strongly consider before playing that video on television. Now while they might have sped up the video to make it seem less gruesome, I don't think that showing over and over again helps anything. Now I also understand the other side saying that you should show the video. If you are ESPN or any other network showing the video and you came out and said you had proof of what happen in the elevator. The public would want to know if that is true and would want to see it themselves to believe it. 

Video courtesy of Reblop TV

Also with ethics there are reports saying that Roger Goodall knew about the video in some sort of way, whether it was right after it happen or three months ago if those reports are true then there are some true major questions that need to be asked. Those ten question that you should ask seem to slip away especially if it is true that he knew about the video and still chose to only suspend him for two games. 

I also think that you need to look at the Ravens organization as well with some ethical defaults. If they also knew about the video well in advance and they continue to support Ray Rice until it looks bad for them to support him.