AP reports that ESPN has banned New York Post staffers from appearances on its programming after NYP published photographs from a "Peeping Tom" video of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews nude in her hotel room. The Post had no immediate comment, but that'll come perhaps sooner than later.
Huge buzz about this, as well there should be. "Do no harm," the SPJ Code of Ethics counsels. Obviously, that was the farthest thing from some immature, unprofessional journalists' minds in violating Andrews' personal life and space.
Can't ESPN put on bigger gloves? Andrews is certainly gearing for a fight. Andrews, according to attorney Marshall Grossman, will seek criminal charges and file civil lawsuits against whoever shot the video -- and anyone who publishes the material, the AP reports.
Go for it, Erin. Kick their butts big-time. It may not stop the sleezeballs who have no respect for celebs' personal privacy, but decent people and many journalists want to see a message sent, demanding respect for personal dignity and ethical practice. Shame on the New York Post editors and those at the other newspapers and networks who decided to run those pictures, blatantly disrespecting Erin's personal privacy. She may be a TV celeb, but so what? Will Erin ever feel safe again?
We don't need the mainstream media trading in voyeurism and blurring ethical lines in such a way. It just blows even bigger holes in MSM's credibility.
Comments