When Mass Media Commits a Massive Privacy Invasion

[Commentary] It seems as though the world is getting more chaotic by the minute. There have been awful terrorist attacks around the world, seemingly unabated – from Egypt to Paris to Mali to San Bernadino (CA). And it appears that chaos is infecting the news media.

On Dec 4, reporters from CNN and MSNBC openly rummaged through the now-deceased San Bernadino attackers’ home like eager shoppers on Black Friday. Live on TV for everyone to see, reporters unapologetically let the world into this home – a crime scene – sharing baby pictures, clothing, contents of their refrigerator. And get this: passports, work IDs and even a California state driver’s license. The privacy of this now orphaned child and the grandmother was clearly invaded here. It didn't have to be. People who should know better made a series of decisions in the moment that I would hope they'd like to have a do-over on. Or maybe they need a little privacy training. It was somewhat heartening to see such a robust backlash about this insensitive reporting on Twitter, but as we deal with tough issues posed by these new forms of terrorism, I hope our society -- and that includes the media -- can keep human dignity and privacy in mind.