Yesterday, the National Enquirer posted a photo of Whitney Houston in her casket. The cover hosted the picture of Houston lying in her casket and boasted: “”Whitney: The Last Photo! Inside Her Private Viewing.”
This has since sparked a huge debate about media ethics and what the line is for photojournalists. There was strict security at the funeral and it is still unclear how the Enquirer acquired the photo. In the National Press Photographers Association, NPPA, there is a code of ethics. Number four states:
[pullquote]Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.[/pullquote]”Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.”
Was there an overriding an justifiable need for the public to see this picture? Probably not. And did the Enquirer treat the subject with respect and dignity? Definitely not.
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