Last Updated: April 06, 2000
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Reader communication
How one paper dealt with photo controversy
Front-page photo of bonfire collapse victim caused
an uproar among some readers of The Dallas Morning News; the editor stands
by his decision
By Gilbert Bailon
O n Nov. 19, 1999, The Dallas Morning News' front page ran a photo of
one of the student victims of the Texas A&M bonfire collapse. Although
he was alive when we published, the young man died the day of publication.
On Nov. 25, after fielding countless calls and letters, I wrote the accompanying
letter to address the readers' concerns about our running the photo.
Would the Morning News editors run that same bonfire accident photo
on Page One?
The answer is a qualified yes: If the photo is discussed at length among
many editors long before deadline and extensive reporting verifies the
victim's name and condition before publication, we would.
To people outside Texas, the bonds of A&M alumni and Aggiedom might
be hard to appreciate. Those tightly held feelings made reaction to this
photo even more personal than with other major news events.
We learned later that other newspapers published the photo, including
the Texas A&M University paper, The Battalion. While that had no bearing
on the spot news decision to use the photo, it gave our decision some context
in follow-up discussions.
The Nov. 25 editor's note
The decision to publish the front-page photograph depicting a severely
injured student amid the fallen logs at the Texas A&M bonfire came
after in-depth discussions among Dallas Morning News editors, who weighed
the need for sensitivity in portraying the victims along with the need
to tell a tragic story.
The editors reviewed dozens of photographs that evening. Our concern
for the victim led to hours of reporting in College Station to verify the
student's name, Tim Kerlee, and his condition, which was critical the night
of the accident. Getting that information was paramount in our decision
making.
The photograph involving Mr. Kerlee is not easy to view. But we concluded
that that one image captured the human tragedy of the accident, the intense
rescue effort and the immensity of the log pile. Had Mr. Kerlee died that
night, the photo would not have been published. Tragically, he died the
next day and our staff was saddened along with our readers.
We take great care with the words and images that The Dallas Morning
News portrays each day, particularly those that can evoke strong emotions
and disturb some readers.
We do not publish photographs to be sensational or to shock readers.
Unfortunately, horrific events happen around the world and locally. Evocative
photographs can be appropriate to convey the horror of a tragic event.
The reality of tragic events can be disturbing and troubling, yet newspapers
must document them. The close-knit ties among Aggies made that reality
even harder for many people throughout the country.
The photo was one part of a comprehensive effort to cover the story
with sensitivity.
We know readers expect ethical decision making. We know readers expect
us to show respect for people we cover. The obligation to cover difficult
stories should not be equated with callousness or disrespect.
Some readers have said they feel as though The Dallas Morning News has
failed them by running the photo of Mr. Kerlee. The decision to publish
occurred after much agonizing debate and introspection. It was not made
hastily or lightly.
We appreciate the reader concerns and listen to their comments. We listen
and learn from such cases. And we will consider these comments when making
future decisions.
Bailon is executive editor of The Dallas Morning News.
