tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546950008014232634.post4872258871880062481..comments2009-11-06T18:17:09.088-08:00Comments on Injustice In Seattle: Readers Poll: Site Confidentiality GuidelinesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546950008014232634.post-9586312760419484422009-03-19T22:55:00.000-07:002009-03-19T22:55:00.000-07:00Thanks for letting me know how you handle it, Carl...Thanks for letting me know how you handle it, Carlos. That's pretty handy to hear since you have experience as a journalist.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for taking the time to write, I appreciate it!NPMSRPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18052178969107494589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546950008014232634.post-37981076230106345462009-03-19T22:44:00.000-07:002009-03-19T22:44:00.000-07:00If people contact you to tell you their story, it ...If people contact you to tell you their story, it is most likely because they want you to publish it.<BR/><BR/>I operate under the assumption that when people talk to me, it is on the record.<BR/><BR/>But I do make it clear that when I am interviewing them, that I plan to write about it. I think it's pretty much obvious because it's not like I'm a priest in a confession booth.<BR/><BR/>There are some things they want to keep off the record and I abide by their wishes.<BR/><BR/>However, if it is something that I believe would be beneficial to their story by keeping it on the record, I try to explain why and they usually agree with me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546950008014232634.post-84562605577829037892009-03-15T09:01:00.000-07:002009-03-15T09:01:00.000-07:00Thanks FBM, and you're right, it's a balancing act...Thanks FBM, and you're right, it's a balancing act and it's a hard one to accomplish at that. I can only hope that I'm doing it right as there aren't really any guidelines or rulebooks for me to follow and there really isn't anyone who can give me any advice from experience.<BR/><BR/>It's all sort of going by feel, so we'll see what happens I guess and go from there.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment and the vote of confidence, I appreciate it!NPMSRPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18052178969107494589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546950008014232634.post-29744364788129615442009-03-15T00:57:00.000-07:002009-03-15T00:57:00.000-07:00I think it's a hard balance but you do a really go...I think it's a hard balance but you do a really good job. I go with confidentiality if they wish that. Sometimes it's full confidentiality. Sometimes it's tell the story but leave details and names out of it that are identifying (which is easier in some cases than in others). And sometimes, tell the story and use the name but only if the person says or states that this is what they want. <BR/><BR/>It's very hard at times like you say to keep the bad accounts inside to yourself, because they are bad. I've got some like that, community and internally. And it's hard sometimes, because the advocate part of you wants justice done or if not justice, exposure but that's not always possible at that time. But the fact that people do come forward and share their stories when otherwise they won't, does say a lot in that the site is doing what it's intended to do as an advocate and an exposure of misconduct. It emboldens people to share their confidences and a part of that is feeling safe to do so, and that's important like you said to keep in mind when creating policy addressing these comments or emails.Five Before Midnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02177863459050384899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546950008014232634.post-47951591904454382502009-03-13T18:39:00.000-07:002009-03-13T18:39:00.000-07:00If I were to change the policy I would probably tr...If I were to change the policy I would probably try to change our contact link from a mailto: into a form of some sort that would state the policy and have some sort of check box or some prompt to let the sender have the option to submit information confidentially.<BR/><BR/>There are some reasons why people don't want their story public but they still write to get advice or find information about where to get help, or just to be able to get what happened to them off their chest to someone who isn't going to refuse to believe they were abused just because it was a cop who did it to them.<BR/><BR/>Otherwise, as I said, some of these stories people are telling me are just so disturbing and horrendous that I feel I have to say something... but, I can't turn back and release that info after I specifically said I wouldn't, even if I think they might not have received my reply for whatever reason, that's just unethical.<BR/><BR/>There are other reasons I set the policy as it is though, the main one is to protect victims from further retribution. A common tactic here in Seattle is for police to let their victims go... but if they try to tell others about what happened they'll find themselves facing unexpected charges weeks or even months after their encounter with the police.<BR/><BR/>Even if I pull most of the details, like all the names and the dates, an officer can still recognize the story and will know who they did what to by the details released.<BR/><BR/>So, there is the potential of harm that could come out of my reversing my policy... so it's a conflict of my role as an advocate for the victims of police abuses and my role as an advocate for more police accountability and transparency.<BR/><BR/>It's a tough call.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment and for letting me know what your take on it is, I appreciate it!NPMSRPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18052178969107494589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546950008014232634.post-80900273441367628372009-03-13T16:10:00.000-07:002009-03-13T16:10:00.000-07:00Unless of course they specifically ask for confide...Unless of course they specifically ask for confidentiality, I think you should share the stories. Maybe you could change both the major and minor details and leave the story as vague as possible? Imo one of many reasons things have gotten as bad as they are is that 1) people suffer in silence and 2) the general population is unaware of just HOW BAD the cops really are. Additionally it might help other victims of swine to know that they are not alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com