In regard to The Durango Herald’s top 2014 online story (“Two killed in plane crash at airport,” Herald, July 4) – which at the time featured a graphic online video clip of the accident scene – the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics states, among other things: “treat members of the public as human beings deserving of respect; balance the public’s need for information against harm and discomfort; show compassion for those who may be affected; use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles.”
Not only is the Herald’s decision to post this video a blatant deviation from ethics, it is quite simply cruel and inhumane to the surviving spouses and children.
The Herald inflicted additional pain and suffering when it released the aforementioned “top story” before notifying the spouse of one of the victims. The wife of one of the victims learned about the accident after receiving voicemail condolences from community members on her phone.
Mary Marqua
Durango
