for god sakes the top of the facebook says “sign up here to connect with ryan” hes dead. give him a little respect!

Not everyone has a facebook page, so it is not public knowledge. Until you mentioned it I had no idea he had one, nor would I have thought to look him up there. While you may think your readers want to know the “real” Ryan Hummert, chances are they don’t. I don’t. Whether he was 22 or 72 does not matter. It was a senseless killing, of a public servant doing his job. It is tragic and I feel for his family and friends. Now you’ve got loads of people checking out his Facebook page possibly taking pictures to use for other news stories without any consent. Publicly posted or not, it is classless and just goes along with the bottom line in the news industry…whatever sucks ‘em in.

There is no reason for the general reader to need a link to this poor man’s Facebook page. All it does is encourage morbid voyeurism.

Then again, morbid voyeurism seems to be the bread and butter of the media, so my question back to the Post Dispatch is: are you willing to take a hit to your bottom line in the name of being a more classy news source?

You know why Facebook and Myspace pages have become more frequently used sources? Because they are easy for lazy journalists.

I think linking to his Facebook was in no way necessary to report this story. Lacks a bit of class I do believe, I expect something like this out of KSDK, but not the Post. Oh well.

There are no bounds to the poor judgment and lack of class to your ‘newspaper’.
Can’t you guys respect anything?
How totally pathetic and ignorant you all are.

I think those sites are legitimate sources. However, providing a link to his own facebook page crosses a line.

Although I’m not surprised that the PD posted it, I think the posting of Fireman Hummert’s link is an invasion of privacy. I choose not to follow the link because I have a sense of decency and because I’m in no hurry to sell advertising space. Integrity has fled the field of journalism.

What will the Post Dispatch stoop to next? It’s bad enough that you posted his name before all friends and family could be notified. Are you that desperate? What were you thinking????

I don’t see it as an issue. I certainly don’t thin you meant any harm by it. However, it does reak a little of the voyeuristic nature of the press. A persons web page is of their own nature. They set about putting it together. It’s not a window into someones soul but its something tangible to conect people. Linking to it seems a little like the the press saying, “Hey he’s a topical tragedy that you can reach out and touch.” Some good may come from it, if people post well wishes on it for his family. And of course it’s not like this is a private situation. The page is on the web for anyone to see. So I see little harm.

It’s just the perception that it puts out. I’m sure there are a number of people imagining some salivating editor rejoicing at the opportunity to have something tangible to link to to further the story. Not saying thats what happened, just talking about perception. Ultimately, does the facebook page further the story? No, its just an ornament which is why it leads to the perception. I do think journalists need to take a little more into account what furthers a story and whats just voyeuristic. In that manner I wouldn’t have linked it. But this isn’t hurting anyone, it’s not like paparazzi photos of people getting out of their cars.