Ethical Issues In The Chicago Tribune

The primary ethical issue that was addressed is whether it was appropriate for the Chicago Tribune to name the suspects of the schoolyard shooting, seeing as they were too young to be tried as adults. The article justifies the tribune actions by using the excuse that there is an exception to rules such as this one. Many people questioned if the choice to release names was ethical. There are theories that could back up the Tribune’s choice below.
The first ethical theory that the tribune could have reasoned with was Mill’s Utilitarian Theory. This theory states that when making a decision, your main focus should be on the effect it has on society. The ethical decision being that it is better for society. I believe that the tribune tried to make this decision by contemplating if releasing the names of the suspects would do more harm to them than good to society. I think the decision they made was ethical. The article stated that when people hear about a crime as tragic as this one, they find ways to relate it to themselves and their friends and family.
I believe this is true. A crime such as this, when the suspects are so young, makes people think. I think it gives parents and teachers a wakeup call, that issues should not be taken lightly. When putting a name and a face to a suspect probably helped …show more content…
The crime was so tragic and awful, that naming the victims would not have hurt them more than they had already hurt themselves. This was not an underage drinking bust, it was a murder. The suspect made a choice and it ruined their lives and many others as well. I believe that when crimes like this happen, as awful as they are they can be a reality check that can save lives. I believe that by the Tribune releasing the names and pictures, more people were able to relate to the story. In return, many lives around America could have been