Saglodoola wrote an interesting piece about the recent events at Kenny’s Sia blog. He was there at a scene of a gruesome accident, where somebody very young had died, and he blogged about it. The images may be disturbing, so if you want, click here. The criticism came however because of the photographs he took at the scene. People had argued that his pictures showed bad taste and he should not have posted the picture, much less taken them.

I struggle with this post. And I wonder, if It was me, instead of Kenny Sia, who witnessed this accident, would I have taken photos? I carry my camera almost everywhere, and even when I don’t, my handphone takes pretty decent pictures. I am always on the look out for great stories, as I am at the heart of me, a story teller.

I asked a few blogger friends, and even they gave me mixed responses. One said out loud, that he wouldn’t, as thats not what his blog is about. Another said, she wouldn’t but she didn’t think it was wrong, because you were a witness.

I think it boils down to this. Do you as a blogger consider yourself a Journalist. If you do, I believe as journalist you have to follow some guidelines. I found this and it really stuck my heart

Journalist Creed (source)

I believe in the profession of journalism.

I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of their responsibility, trustees for the public; that acceptance of a lesser service than the public service is betrayal of this trust.

I believe that clear thinking and clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.

I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.

I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is indefensible.

I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a gentleman; that bribery by one’s own pocketbook is as much to be avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of another; that individual responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another’s instructions or another’s dividends.

I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best interests of readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail for all; that the supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.

I believe that the journalism which succeeds best — and best deserves success — fears God and honors Man; is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today’s world.

As a journalist, one has to has to audit ones motives. Why are you writing about something. Are you posting something to increase your popularity, your blogs hits, to become famous, to express yourself, to educate, to inform, to give commentary on? Only Kenny knows why he blogged what he did, and I won’t pretend to know he reasons. I however read the post, and to me, he did no wrong, and we should not judge.

On this day in History..

• Shanghai Lights - 2006
• BBq and Hot Pot Buffet - 2006
• Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant - 2006
• When I was 18, going on 19 - 2007
• A matter of great national interest... - 2007
• To Blog or Not to Blog....To KennySia and Sagalodoola - 2007
• Dukkah - 2008

Tags: Ramblings

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