Police Beat is ignoring victim rights

I am writing in regards to the recent Police Beats. In the past week there have been two articles about harassment. This seems to violate an ethics issue, that of a victim's right to privacy. It is hard enough for a victim to come forward to the police about harassment, let alone having it published to the entire student body. Publishing these reports only aids the harrasser, it adds to their "power" over the victim, while at the same time adding to the embarrassment of the victim. There comes a time when a victim's right to privacy is more important then a journalist's freedom of press. Police Beat needs to be more sympathetic to the victims rights, and more responsible in regards to media ethics.

By Kathryn At Lee (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
May 5, 1997