You were the Editor

A judge awards custody of an infant placed for adoption to two lesbians, then seals all records about the case - including the judge's name. A reporter learns of the adoption and in her story notes the judge's identity cannot be established.
Some readers are irate and say the newspaper is covering up. They insist they have the right to know the identity of the judge and demand the newspaper publish his name.

Several days later a clerk hands the reporter a copy of the adoption papers which have been removed illegally from files. The adoption papers identify the judge. Do you:

A.  Publish a story naming the judge, even though the papers were obtained illegally, because you believe the public is entitled to know and the reporter was simply the recipient of the document and did not herself steal the material.

Readers  23%
Editors  15%

B.  You do not publish. The public's interest should not override the fact the records were sealed and taken from files illegally, no matter who took them.

Readers  77%
Editors  85%


Readers comments:

"Judge should not be shielded."

"Public has the right to know the judge's name but names of the lesbians should be withheld to protect the child's identity."

Related Lesson

You Be the Editor