Unbound Edition - Facebook Page Personalizes Tragedy

Today in Maplewood, Mo., only a few miles from my home and office, an unknown gunman opened fire on firefighters responding to a call. A 22-year-old firefighter, Ryan Hummert, was fatally wounded, and two police officers were shot and taken to area hospitals.

As I write this, the gunman is still at large. And the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has posted a link to the slain firefighter’s Facebook page, even posting a picture of him straight out of his Facebook photos. A quick look at the page makes the tragedy seem all the more real. In the past subjects of news stories tended to feel like distant figures. Today’s tragedy shows social networking sites can provide a morbid glimpse into a life lost. One that’s arguably far more powerful than the ubiquitous news story featuring grieving friends and family.

One Facebook friend wrote on Ryan Hummert’s wall only last night “Hey, did the place for the float trip change?” Sadly Hummert will never have a chance to respond.

>>Do you think it is appropriate for a news organization to link to a victim's Facebook page? Click here to vote.<<

sad
written by Michele, July 21, 2008 02:42 PM

I saw the link on the P-D website and immediately clicked on it. As I scrolled through Ryan's photos and wall posts, I started to feel very creepy. I felt like I was intruding a bit, but mostly it was just sad. The paper also links to a Facebook memorial page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26426752570&ref=mf

I also found it interesting that the paper used one of Ryan's Facebook photos on its home page. I just wonder if it got permission from his family first.

Mixed Feelings
written by Pedro, July 21, 2008 02:48 PM

Part of me feels like this may be in invasion of the victim's privacy. However, I think that people are becoming more and more aware that what you post on Facebook (or MySpace, etc.) is easily accessed by potential colleges or employers, parents, friends of friends, or in this case, strangers looking for a glimpse of the life of this young man who died tragically and way too soon. I think this is also a reminder to make sure that you do not post anything on your social networking profiles that you would be embarrassed for the general public to see.

Debate
written by Michele, July 21, 2008 03:25 PM

It has spawned a big debate on the P-D website as well: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-editors-desk/the-editors-desk/2008/07/firefighters-facebook-private-or-public/comment-page-2/#comments

Doesn't feel right
written by Richard, July 21, 2008 03:43 PM

While it may not be morally or ethically wrong, posting his Facebook page just doesn't feel right. I know many young people who may not include the most flattering pictures of themselves on their pages (like photos from parties, etc.). Note: I have not looked at this young man's profile. But I don't think it is fair to make this profile public knowledge when he has already been victimized once. Frankly, people could search for his profile if they wanted to - there is no reason to supply it to Post Dispatch readers online.

wrong
written by JP, July 21, 2008 03:45 PM

Linking to a victim's Facebook page will cause the public to draw unnecessary - and likely incorrect - conclusions about the person. The guy was only 22. He had photos of himself shotgunning a beer. Will someone out there think less of him because of those photos. Probably. Is that unfair? Totally.

When updating our Facebook pages, should we stop worrying about what potential employers will think and start worrying about what people will think about us when we die?