We are first to promote access to public records, but a newspaper also has to use good judgment with that freedom.
Recently, a New York state newspaper, the Journal News, stirred more controversy last month by publishing the names and addresses, complete with map, of handgun permit owners. All the records were public and accessible to anyone who wished to retrieve it.
But the question is why?
The information did not really serve any purpose other than to increase the controversy. Publishing that information was ill advised and could even lead to more problems in the future. It definitely widened the gap between the opposing sides of gun control.
In fact, several of the names were law enforcement, prison guards, first responders and others of those who put their lives on the line everyday to serve and protect.
Nice to know that the inmate you are guarding read your home address during library privileges.
Just because you can, and the information is available, it is not always advisable to lay it out there.
The information about sex is readily available to anyone who has a TV or computer, but do you go about showing explicit pictures to first-graders? Certainly not.
When all the yelling happens, it is the media's job to report and record. It is responsible to ask each side for their opinion and facts. Not hand the mob rocks then report the mob threw the rocks.
When a news agency seeks to enflame rather than enlighten, then it has truly over-stepped the bounds of good taste and ethical consideration. Even if the information is public.
Information is power, but all power must be tempered with good judgment.
We at the News-Sun believe you can support the public's right to know without endangering the public.
Friday, January 11, 2013 - www.newssun.com/011113-editorial