Should news stations air SeaWorld killer whale attack video?

Orlando news media outlets, as well as those beyond Florida, might soon have access to video showing the fatal attack two weeks ago by a killer whale on a trainer at SeaWorld.

By state law the footage will become available after Florida's Orange County Sheriff's Office concludes its investigation.

However, SeaWorld and the family of the victim, Dawn Brancheau, are trying to prevent the facility's security-camera video from being released.

This raises a few interesting questions. Media outlets might be right in demanding to see the video, but will they be be right if they choose to air the video?

Al Tompkins of Poynter Online today posted a column stating that news outlets ought to air the video only if there's actual news value, beyond simple shock value.

I agree. Unless the video can reveal something of value that has not yet been reported--evidence, say, of wrongdoing or irresponsible behavior--it should not be aired. As Tompkins points out, no crime has been committed and the family is not seeking a greater truth beyond what happened to Brancheau, who was grabbed from the deck, pulled under and shaken. The trainer was aware of the risks associated with her job and of the killer whale's notorious history.

However news stations choose to deal with this issue, chances are the video will become available on the Internet, possibly on YouTube, which ought to consider what Brancheau's family has already been through before allowing that to happen.

This is unrelated but I recall YouTube responding to complaints and taking down footage of freestyle motocross rider Jeremy Lusk tumbling awkwardly in an accident that ultimately claimed his life. When I was a reporter at the Los Angeles Times I refused to post that video on my blog despite the tremendous boost in traffic it might have generated. Neither will I post the killer whale attack video if it becomes available. I don't need to see it and don't care to share it.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of trainer Dawn Brancheau by Associated Press 

Comments

[Lori]

Amen! I couldnt even stand to watch the Olympian accident that claimed his life. Why do we have to show videos like that? I know it gets peoples attention but really when are we going to stop this bull---- sensationalism. It hurts everyone, not just the families.