1 of 1- RadioActive
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How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
For the past 12 days, one of the top stories in the GTA was the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl in the Bathurst & Sheppard area. The good news came Thursday, when the kid, known only as "Esther," was found safe.
I can't quite figure out what happens now. Authorities are often allowed to release pictures of people under 18 if they're suspected of a serious crime or if they go missing. But once they're found, that permission usually goes away. I well recall when my TV station's website had to go back and remove the photos and names of young offenders wanted by police in order to protect their identities. The videos that were posted had to be either pulled or edited, as well.
Does the same thing apply to Esther? Will TV stations still be able to show her picture? Will radio and newspaper websites have to delete the girl's images from all their articles about her? I know how it works in the case of young wanted criminals. Do the same privacy rules apply for an underage girl who went missing and has now been found?
If so, that's an incredible amount of work. I know, because I used to have to do it all the time. And you lived in fear that you missed something.
- RadioActive
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Re: How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
Just saw Global & CTV's lead story, which of course was that the girl was found. Interesting - CTV showed the girl's face while recapping the family's statement, with her face appearing just once in the report.
Global blurred her face in all the search posters and we never did see what she looked like.
Two different approaches for one big story. But in terms of privacy protection, I think Global got it right.
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Thread Starter- 67GreenRambler
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Re: How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
I saw CBC Toronto read some of the statement from the parents at 6:10. Does this mean they didn't lead with the story?
Also anchor Kelda Yuen is working sick, noticable in her voice.
- RadioActive
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Re: How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
Wow, if they didn't lead with this story, I wouild be shocked. In the news for 2 weeks, freshly solved within a few hours of airtime and high viewer interest and lots of publicity. If that wasn't the lead, I'd love to know what was.
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Thread Starter- Evuguy
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Re: How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
I can't ever recall in a missing person's case where the surname wasn't also given. Today, on the 7pm news on 680, on announcing she had been found, they didn't even use her first name. Is this the media trying to self-police itself or, have the police requested that her name no longer be used?
- RadioActive
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Re: How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
There was a change in policy a while ago. They never give the last name of a missing person anymore, adult or child, to protect their privacy. I always thought it sounded weird but I understand the reasons. That may be related to what you heard on 680, although it's more likely to be station policy than police request.
The idea is that once a younger person is found, they no longer need the media attention, and in fact, it's harmful then.
A very tricky balance, because after seeing this story day after day after day, it's human nature to want to know what happened. I get it, but what bothers me is the pretence that you saw her face and her name for weeks, and all of a sudden you're supposed to just magically forget both of them?
That's the dichotomy here.
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Thread Starter- Evuguy
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Re: How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
I agree with you, plus, if you did a name search on the web, her image would still appear. Interestingly, a later newscast on 680 included her name. Next day, a morning newscast on CFRB did not. Not a lot of consistency here.
- SpinningWheel
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Re: How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
I'm just glad that Ester is back in touch with her family and I'm also happy that people's phones didn't explode with another pointless Amber Alert over this stuff. I have Freedom Mobile and for some reason I don't get that crap.
- Shorty Wave
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Re: How Does The News Proceed Now That Esther Has Been Found?
So they found her safe at a home in Etobicoke yet no further mention of who’s home and how she got there. Very odd. I’ll stay tuned….!