By: Joe Strupp As if the Net hadn't raised enough ethical questions for reporters, a high-profile Maryland murder case has brought a new issue to ponder: When does a reporter go too far searching for sources on the Web?
The dispute involves Nelson Hernandez, a reporter for
The Washington Post who has been covering the grisly Memorial Day-weekend slaying of a Fairfax, Va., couple at a Maryland beachfront condominium. The case has drawn attention from news organizations in three states because the suspects, Erika and Benjamin Sifrit, live in Pennsylvania. Each has been charged on 18 criminal counts, including two counts of first-degree murder.
Hernandez posted a message on the Web bulletin board of a competing daily,
The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va., asking readers who knew the suspects or victims to call him with tips or sources "to build a complete picture."
The posting caught the attention of
Free Lance-Star reporters who objected to their paper's site being used by a rival, according to Web Editor Chris Muldrow. "I think it is crossing a line," he said. "That bothers me."
Hernandez, who normally covers city government from the
Post bureau in Annapolis, Md., defended his actions. "Anything on the Internet is open," he told
E&P, noting he had not received any worthwhile tips via the posting. "It did not occur to me to be a breach of ethics." Hernandez also pointed out that a reporter from the
Altoona (Pa.)
Mirror -- in the suspects' hometown -- posted a similar message on
The Free Lance-Star bulletin board. Bill Kibler, the
Mirror staff writer, said his request did not cross an ethical line because his paper does not compete with
The Free Lance-Star. "That is a legitimate distinction," he said.
Despite his objections, Muldrow said he decided not to remove Hernandez's message. Instead, he posted his own response criticizing the
Post reporter's efforts. "I think it's quite unprofessional for you to be using our boards to fish for sources," Muldrow's response read, "especially considering the sizable resources of your news organization."
On a related front, the Altoona paper has been criticized by some for not posting stories about the case online. Managing Editor Ray Eckenrode said the
Mirror, which has never posted news stories on its Web site, received dozens of requests from people who want information about the case. "We do not give away content," Eckenrode said. Publisher Edward Kruger described the practice of providing free Web content as "flawed thinking."
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