Electrocution Process

Mr. Boss,

In the best interest of our site and public at large, we should not air the execution live. My primary support to my argument is that there is no true journalistic purpose to airing this video. It is not about being morally sensitive to the subject, as we do not have as many restrictions that normal television would, but it is about being correct. The footage of the electric chair would not provide greater details the story of the execution, or help the audience understand the story better. We know the man is receiving the death penalty and I believe that is enough to simply explain in writing. Keep in mind this man is being executed in a very gruesome fashion. Electrocution is far more intense than hanging or lethal injection. The man will essentially be “fried alive” on a national broadcast, if this was to be aired. A photo of the man might right before the execution could be as more effective than a video its self. We must keep in mind the repercussions that come from airing this video, and that might help prevent us from airing it.

Imagine the impact this video would have on the family members watching. The images would be surreal, as they are witnessing their very own in the electric chair. They would be constantly reminded of this incident; also being constantly affiliated with the criminal by the public each time they view it. The government will give us a very difficult time in filming this execution, and would create very strict rules to what we do with the footage. As we have seen in “To Catch a Predator”, cameras pose a threat to the proper function of police duties. It is possible that the justice system could be altered to air on camera. These pose risks such as lawsuits and even jail time if we mess up even the