Should newspapers outlets leave out our criminal relatives’ names in their newspapers? I do not think that reporters in Palau, as you know, are required by law not to publish names in their newspapers. If you read newspapers back home, and you know this for a fact, you will notice that if it is good tidings for someone, his or her name will be published right away. If it is bad news, our foreign reporters usually will intentionally avoid publishing names, except for minors as required by law. It is reporters’ fear that has supplanted professionalism and is embedded in foreign reporters’ culture for many years while working here without any temerity to do their jobs right. It is almost watching the movies with no actors involved. These reporters know all the rules of how to write a lead paragraph, answering four Ws and one H. Ergo, why are they not answering a “who, “question as an essential part of writing news articles? They were trained in school, were they? They are afraid of retaliation and violence, which render them ineffective and worthless. They (reporters) cannot do us justice as a nation and a people if they are afraid to name names. Publishing names will perhaps deter possible criminals from committing crimes, and such practice will make people think twice before doing anything illegal and unlawful. Logically, our newspaper organizations should hire fearless and courageous reporters regardless where they are from, who have people’s faith and trust. It is not necessary to exclude foreigners whose journalist skills are apparently evident. But are they not afraid to work as reporters in Palau? Their temerity should be one of the major requirements for hiring them. Because we care and love our relatives, and we do not want to tarnish our family names or put blemishes on our loved ones, should news outlets leave out our relatives’ names who have committed despicable, atrocious crimes? What do you think?
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:23:25 +0000
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