Homework: Privacy and ethics in an internet age

The booming era of the internet has posed one important question to the masses huddled over their keyboards, what is our reasonable expectation of privacy?

It is an even trickier question for journalists. Our realm is the public. We are constantly using the laws and rules allowing to gather public information lawfully (most of the time) in an effort to redistribute that information back to the people.

The rise of Facebook, Twitter and other social media goodies has unlocked a new journalistic cache of tools. Now we can look at what other people are thinking and doing in their respective social circles.

But journalists begin running into problems when trying to harness the potential energy of the information on display (sometimes locked) on social media websites.

Do we use the information to further our stories? It's for the public, right?

Or do we leave the information there, perhaps to be mined by another less ethical journalist.

The same mentality applied to physical world information gathering doesn't directly translate into the digital world. But a journalist's obligations to his/her sources does.

Bailey's responsibilities to Del Rocco is to protect her privacy as a citizen as much as possible while trying to get the information she needs for a story. Bailey was correct in approaching Del Rocco on Facebook (incorrect for not saying she was a reporter from the onset) and asking for an interview.

After that? If she says no, the journalist should either attempt to coax the source into talking or find other avenues to collect information without violating a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Can Bailey use the Facebook posts? If I was her editor, I would say no. This isn't a perfect metaphor, but I liken it to a conversation. Del Rocco's "friend" acceptance was like letting Bailey stand next to her while she talks to her friends. None of you would use something overheard in a conversation, so why use the Facebook posts?

Also, there are several factors Bailey needs to weigh before using the posts. What is the actual value to the readers in this situation? And that value, how does it weigh against protecting Del Rocco and her reasonable expectation of privacy?

Also, how in the hell do you even PROVE that Del Rocco is operating that Facebook account? The internet is the bastion of anonymity. Yes, it is REASONABLE to assume Del Rocco is operating that account based on the posts in the article. But if I am reporting on something as dire as murder allegations, any kind of assumption should be off the table.

As journalists we must remember that we are humans first and journalists second. From our conversations in class, you probably think I am some robotic asshole. Most of that is probably true, and I can always use a great element of humanity to draw me back in.

In our quest to get and tell stories we quickly forget to protect the people we are trying to help.

Using Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and other posts should only be done when that information is given to the reporter, or the publication of that information is in the public's supreme best interest.

Unless you are a public official, then your shit is fair game.