From Deseret News archives:

An explanation to our readers

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007 9:04 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Editors at this newspaper are horrified and stunned by the tragic killings at Trolley Square on Monday evening. It's difficult to believe that this could have taken place in Salt Lake City. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.

This newspaper has received a number of phone calls and e-mails from readers who are critical of the decision to publish the graphic photograph of an unidentified victim and a policeman on the front page of our Tuesday edition. We understand the concern and have carefully considered the comments of all.

A newspaper has a duty to its readers to accurately describe events. Photojournalism plays an essential role in telling stories. Often photographs capture in an instant infinitely more than words could say. They convey the emotion of a situation and bring the reader into the scene in a way that has great power and impact. Such was the case here.

We know the picture is horrifying. However, after careful consideration we concluded that no other photograph we had adequately told the story of this almost unimaginable tragedy. We did not publish it out of an impulse to be sensational, but rather to clearly document the terror that struck at the heart of our community.

Unduly sanitizing the circumstances of the terrible and shocking tragedy would not have done justice to either the story or the community.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire

but not near as good as the NFL. Let's go put on some pads so we don't get...

In my opinion seeing his mental and social problems for what they were was a...

Just get outside you really don't need the suppliments. It takes very little...

Stephen Jackson recently said that he was as good as Kobe Bryant. It is...

Responding to Logical. BSU has won 20 WAC championships in all sports not...

Bringing in Houston and Boise State? Bad idea for a conference and bad for...

what a lame joke.

Rescuers reach stranded hikers

First you all complain that too many kids today are wasting away playing...

Letters: 2 words - an eternity

That is truly amazing Kevin! I don't know what life will be like for any...

Fredette named player of the week

I thought for sure that this award would go to one of the Ute seniors Drca or...

Advertisements
Advertisement