Quote:
Originally posted by observer
I'm not sure that it's interfering with journalistic objectivity to prevent someone from harming themselves, as the statement being made can still be made...
If the reporter gave the man the lighter, then that would be questionable objectivity. It's very subtle, but i think that in real-life practice, there can be a distinction made.
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During war, journalists must maintain journalistic integrity for their safety. To prevent one person from harming another is asking to be harmed yourself. Is there a substantial difference between stopping someone from harming themselves and stopping someone from harming others? I can't imagine there is. "Journalist integrity" doesn't just boil down to self-preservation does it?
Agreed on the latter statement though. Handing him the lighter would clearly be the opposite of journalistic integrity.
Or to ask it a completely different way... would it be right for a journalist to have stopped Thich Quang Duc? A normal civilian?