Minimize Harm: Journalists Should not Disclose a Death Until the Family Knows

Many journalism ethics decisions are difficult. This one is not: If you don’t know whether the family knows of a newsworthy death, you should wait to report it.Kansas City Royals pitcher Edinson Vólquez pitched Game One of the World Series last night, shortly after his father’s death.

Reports conflicted initially on whether the pitcher learned of Daniel Volquez’s death in the Dominican Republic before the game, as reported by ESPN, citing an unnamed source, or was not told of the death until after he left the game after six strong innings, as Fox reported on its telecast.