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The Ethics Of A Falling Man

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America will never forget the tragic terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. At the World Trade Center, crowds looked up in horror as approximately 200 people jumped from the towers to escape the fire and smoke or looking for safety. Richard Drew, an Associated Press photographer started snapping pictures of the jumpers. One of his photos, now known as the Falling Man, would be sent around the world, and became an iconic picture of the horrific event. The image evoked a lot of criticism, complaints and anger from viewers. Although many attempts were made, the man in the picture was never identified, according to News.com.au. The image shows the man jumping headfirst from the North tower of the World Trade Center, presumably falling to his …show more content…

Drew had the responsibility to accurately visually report the event. By using the photo, journalists and publications tell the story of the magnitude of the human experience. The code in question is publication’s ethicality of minimizing harm. Newspapers have to show as much compassion as possible when covering terrorist attacks that affect millions of people. The photo has to be published with delicacy and deceny. Considering the long-term implications versus the short-term consequences, the picture was necessary. Raines said, “In a tragic moment, you cannot be dishonest or evasive… I thought the picture told a story our readers needed to see. To suppress that picture would be …show more content…

Many newspapers received many complaints from their readers. The Morning Call newspaper in Allentown, Pennsylvania received their largest outraged response over a photo, and other media self censored the photo. Citizens of New York City and New York’s public safety employees could all be affected as well. Anyone in the city during the attacks are forced the relive the horror that has impacted their city, state and community. The picture adds a personal element to New York locals because people could think ‘what if I knew or saw the falling man at one point?’ New York police and fire department could possibly be reminded of 9/11 when they see the photo, reminiscing on the lives they failed to save.
People who could be racially and religiously profiled are stakeholders. Citizens and law enforcement targeted people of Arabic descent and of the Islamic religion after the 9/11 attacks. People became fearful of anyone who appeared to be Arab or wore a veil/turban. Today, the Muslim and Arab communities are still negatively perceived and receive a lot of hate from people outside of those groups. Lastly, terrorists should be considered before a decision is made. As mentioned earlier, the goal of publishing the photo is not to romanticize of gratify

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