Member Submission: Newspapers to stop publishing mugshot galleries
The Tampa Bay Times will stop publishing its online mugshot gallery, which features people who have been arrested in the newspaper’s coverage area.
The Times made the announcement on Monday.
“The galleries lack context and further negative stereotypes,” said Tampa Bay Times Executive Editor Mark Katches. “We think the data is an important resource that our newsroom will continue to analyze and watch carefully, but the galleries alone serve little journalistic purpose.”
Katches added that the newspaper will still publish individual mugshots with stories when arrests have been made.
The Tampa Bay Times isn’t the only Florida newspaper to stop publishing mugshot galleries. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel announced it would get rid of its mugshot gallery on Friday.
“We’ve come to realize that without context, the galleries have little journalistic value and may have reinforced negative stereotypes,” the newspaper wrote.
The newspaper chain Gannett also opted to stop publishing the arrest photos, The Hill reports.
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IMO: Interesting how the concept of “context and furthering a negative stereotype” is lost upon those who think citizens should be subjected to a registry…
Registries are punitive! Ugh!
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Source: https://www.newsmax.com/us/mugshot-newspapers-arrest-tampa-bay-times/2020/06/15/id/972301/
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Kudos to Gainesville City Commissioner Santos for pushing to have the Alachua County Jail website stop publishing mugshots when the individuals have not yet been found guilty–the idea of innocent until proven guilty. So far the sheriff’s office has not shown any opposition. Santos wants a stop to the Gainesville Police Department media walk-throughs and the release of mug shots with press releases. Santos also said that the past procedure is not due process and makes it difficult to get an untainted jury pool. Again, no opposition is currently being heard.
I wonder what he feels about people accused of sex crimes or FTR and their due process rights.
If I ever get off the registry, I will avoid and boycott any state that would make me register with them for a visit (Not sure how they would know anyway).
Fight the good fight to get off then some other states adds you back on to theirs.
I have asked the Miami Herald if they will also stop publishing mugshot galleries.
Sarah,
We need more women like Super Sarah to fight for our cause.
I think having women on our side helps especially if they have a talent to fight for registrants. Several women I know have asked me what they can do to help fight. Sarah is a huge asset to FAC media chair.