Media Ethics on Graphic ISIS Videos

Kirsten Kueser 
kk500312@ohio.edu

 In order to survive, journalism must constantly adjust to technology. While production and platforms may change, a basic code of ethics keeps the profession consistent. Granted, some unique situations call for a new code or the altering of an existing one, but in most circumstances, one will find an ethical dilemma can be solved with the application of a code of ethics. Groups such as the Society of Professional Journalists, commonly referred to as SPJ, and the Radio Television Digital News Association, also known as RTDNA, have their own codes of ethics.

       Applying Guidelines to New Ethical Dilemmas 

A still of the video posted by the SITE Intelligance Group shows American 

journalist Steven Sotloff  (left) before being exictuted by an ISIS member 

(right). (Source: Washington Post)

The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, released the recorded beheadings of two American journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff. In both videos the journalists are seen kneeling in the desert sand, delivering surely scripted lines of propaganda. An unmasked ISIS member standing beside the journalist then addresses President Barack Obama, threatening to continue the killing of American citizens as long as the U.S. military intervened. Both videos end with the beheading of the journalist. 

Once these videos surfaced on the internet an ethical debate on sharing and watching the video erupted. As Christopher Harper of the Washington Times wrote here: 

“The videotaped beheadings of two U.S. journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, raise important ethical questions about how media outlets from The New York Times to Twitter deal with such violence.”

 There are many ethical questions on how to journalistically handle these videos, but with a code of ethics to follow, a sound decision can be made. I will justify this claim by applying both the SJP Code of Ethics and the Proposed Revised RTDNA Code of Ethics to how a journalist should handle the ISIS videos.

 SPJ Code of Ethics

(Source: Google Images)

One of the four main principles in the Society of Professional Journalists is “minimize harm.” The principles’ ethical codes are relevant to reporting the ISIS videos. First, the code says, journalists should “Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.” In this case, we must balance the public’s need to be informed of  what ISIS has done against sharing the footage that has the potential to cause harm (through inspiring somebody to repeat the crime) or causing the victim’s families or simply viewers discomfort. 

Secondly, journalists should “recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.” In context a journalist should understand just because one has the legal right to watch and share a video of a beheading does not mean it is ethical to watch and share the gruesome act. The Society of Professional Journalists has additional codes that further support the argument that showing the ISIS videos (at least the graphic footage) would be going against SJP’s ethics. 

 

RTDNA Code of Ethics

(Source: RTDNA)

The proposed Revised RTDNA Code of Ethics elaborates more on accountability for consequences with added codes. One code states “Journalism provides enormous benefits to self-governing societies. In the process, it can create inconvenience, discomfort and even distress. Minimizing harm, particularly to vulnerable individuals, should be a consideration in every editorial and ethical decision.” This code again provides the argument that at least the graphic footage in the ISIS videos should not be shared with the public in order to minimize reader’s discomfort and distress.

       Conclusion 

Even while I used two different group’s Code of Ethics to determine how to journalistically handle the ISIS videos, I came to the same ethical conclusions both times.  It can be noted that a core set of ethical standards are found in many different professional groups. These standards can guide journalists when dealing with the new dilemmas that come with new technology.