Discussion Post

For this discussion, I have decided to analyze the case of “Kobe Bryant’s Past: A Tweet Too Soon?” This case study can be accessed at; https://www.spj.org/ecs21.asp

Ethical Issue, Challenge, or Dilemma: The ethical dilemma here revolves around truth-telling in journalism and the appropriate timing for discussing sensitive elements of a deceased individual's past. Sonmez and The Washington Post had to balance the public's right to comprehensive information, the principle of treating all subjects with respect (especially in a mourning period), and the potential harm that could be caused to Bryant's family, friends, and fans. It also raised issues about the erasure of allegations against a beloved public figure and how this might affect sexual assault survivors.

Question & Answer: The case study asks: "Is there a limit to truth-telling? How long (if at all) should a journalist wait after a person’s death before resurfacing sensitive information about their past?" In response, it can be argued that there is no limit to truth-telling in journalism; however, the manner and timing in which the truth is delivered matter greatly. In this case, the immediacy of the tweet following Bryant's death might...