Current ethical dilemma:
Informed consent and the right to publish
February 2008
You are the managing editor of a daily newspaper. A special education class for teenagers with severe deformities has invited your paper to do a story on how well each of the students has done in overcoming his or her handicaps.
You feel strongly that the reporting and photography are honest, tasteful and sensitive. The students and teacher have all been actively involved in the story, answering all the reporter's questions and posing for the photographer, and they are all extremely enthusiastic about it. So are your staff.
Prominent in the story is the class leader, a seventeen-year-old woman named Julie who is a dwarf. Her courage, spirit and energy is what propels and inspires the whole class.
Two days before the story is scheduled to appear on the front page of the Sunday lifestyle section, Julie's father calls. He is not only upset, but abusive. Insisting that his family's privacy is being violated, he threatens to sue if the story is published.
You explain that his daughter has given her permission, that the story shows her in a very positive light, and that its publication will do a lot of good for handicapped people. He says he doesn't care and feels that he is responsible for protecting his daughter's interest. He demands that you kill the story.
Ethical questions:
- What are the issues?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- What should you do?
- What would you do?
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