When or if to publish

A good article over at Poynter online which looks at the decision making process over the New York Times' front page last week which showed a photpgraph of a Zimbabwe baby photographed with casts on both legs,a victim of the political violence there.

As always there are many decisons to be taken over whether to publish.In this case the safety of the victims being of paramount importance.

Because of the risks to both journalists and the subjects of their coverage in Zimbabwe, The Times did not identify either the photographer or the child and decided not to publish the photo on its Web site.

The paper got permission from the child's mother to publish and vindicates its decison by quoting the amount of interest that the article recieved.

the paper is looking into how it might facilitate readers' interest in helping the child and others in similar circumstances.

It seems that in this case the paper can be applauded on its decison