Two of your 14-year-old freshmen classmates allegedly are caught stealing clothes from a local store. They were arrested by the police. Their names were not publicly released, but almost everyone knows who they are. Do you write a story for you school paper about it? Do you publish their names? May you legally publish their names? Thinking about the journalistic code of ethics, answer the following questions:

1. What concerns you about this story?

2. Do you have all the information you need to understand the situation? If not, where or how can you get it?

3. What is the benefit to printing this?

4. What possible harm could you be doing if you print this item? Consider both immediate and long term.

5. Have you considered the viewpoint of everyone involved (especially those likely to be harmed by the story)? Do you understand what they would object to?

6. Do you have any other options (tone it down, don't run it, hold for further investigation)?

7. Will you as a student journalist run the item? Why or why not? JUSTIFY your decision.

*This was the only information given and No story's were given to help solve this. ~-~*