ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to analyse journalists’ routines and decision-making in gathering and publishing death-related visuals. Empirical data were collected by analysing visuals published in two cases: the death of a teen, and a person who had a mental illness. We conducted eight in-depth interviews with people involved in publishing the visuals. The data showed no guidelines in the newsroom of how journalists should act when covering sensitive topics. Although producing or publishing the visuals depended on various beliefs and professional norms of people involved, the reporter as the last link in the chain had to take responsibility for the visuals. Yet, reporters usually did not get to choose how the visuals were produced. The lack of instructions and internal agreements led to relying on routines that did not consider the ethical aspects of covering sensitive topics.

摘要

本研究的目的是分析记者在收集和发布与死亡相关的视频时的惯例和决策。通过分析在两个案例中发布的视觉效果来收集经验数据：一名青少年的死亡和一名患有精神疾病的人。我们对参与发布视觉效果的人员进行了八次深入采访。数据显示，新闻编辑室没有关于记者在报道敏感话题时应如何行事的指南。尽管制作或发布视觉效果取决于相关人员的各种信仰和专业规范，但作为链条中最后一环的记者必须对视觉效果承担责任。然而，记者通常无法选择视觉效果的制作方式。