As
I was doing my research about Jennifer Laude for an article I’m writing for my
Journalism class, I stumbled upon this photo of Julita Laude, mother of
Jennifer, crying at her child’s funeral.
My attention won’t be caught this much
if there weren’t a lot of media personnel feasting
on an unfortunate event that was supposed to be solemn and private. (Editor’s note: It was an AFP/Getty Images
photo showing media personnel just a few feet away from the crying mother and
the casket of Laude. Laude’s body inside the casket could even be seen on the
foreground of the photo.)
I
understand that those media personnel were just doing their jobs, taking photos
that were essential to their news stories. I also know that what happened to
Jennifer is already a national story and coverage of every bit of detail that
can be possibly obtained regarding that issue is needed for the running story. I
am also aware that that specific photo can be used to attract attention of the
audience and at the same time, gather sympathy and support for the ongoing
battle for justice of Jennifer’s death. All of these may be within the duty of being
part of the media but care and respect for the subject (and all people
involved) should also be considered.
What really bothers me is the lack of respect the media showed for the
Laude family, acting like the funeral was some sort of spectacle. Would it hurt to at least give the family a
few days of peace to mourn their lost family member? Would it hurt to at
least pay respects for the dead, by simply allowing the funeral to be private
and quiet? The media has been into the Laude family for some time now and the
least the media can do is to let them grieve their loss. What if the same thing
happened to them? How would they feel if cameras were all over the place covering
such private matter? Would they like strangers intruding their last moments
with their loved one? Of course not. Nobody wants that.
Again, all of these boils down to
respect. Everybody deserves that. The media should perform their duty, yes, but
disrespect is not part of it.
2012-33947 (2)
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