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# We need a conversation about the ethics of digital doorstepping
- URL: https://onemanandhisblog.com/2017/05/need-conversation-ethics-digital-doorstepping/
- Published: 2017-05-23T14:05:09.000Z
- Updated: 2017-05-25T13:20:44.000Z
- Author: Adam Tinworth
- Tags: digital doorstepping, ethics, Journalism, journalism ethics, reporting

I first wrote about [digital doorstepping a decade ago](https://www.onemanandhisblog.com/archives/2007/04/theres%5Fno%5Fdoubt%5Fthat%5Fthe.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com). And the problem has only got worse:

> I have dealt with 50+ journos online today. Two found my mobile number. This cunt found my house. I still don't know if my brother is alive. [pic.twitter.com/NYbLzBsVH0](https://t.co/NYbLzBsVH0?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)
> 
> — Dan Hett (@danhett) [May 23, 2017](https://twitter.com/danhett/status/866960257150529536?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)

Now, the [death knock](http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/some-useful-advice-on-how-to-approach-death-knocks/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com) is a long-standing part of journalism. But we’re a very long way from the days of a single local reporter — and maybe a stringer from a national — turning up at someone’s house. Now, the relatives or friends of someone caught in a news event can rapidly be bombarded with requests from journalism.

Why is this a problem? Because it’s overwhelming:

> hundreds of these. ghouls. [pic.twitter.com/Ot1ddpzA20](https://t.co/Ot1ddpzA20?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)
> 
> — Dan Hett (@danhett) [May 23, 2017](https://twitter.com/danhett/status/866962079575617536?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)

This is a man worried about his missing brother – and he’s besieged by journalists, at one of the most emotionally difficult times in his life. And not only that — what are they asking for? *To be friends on Facebook*. And what does that give them? The ability to rifle through his past posts — and, more than likely, use anything they find there as material for their story.

Just because digital makes something easier doesn’t make it right. And I’m struggling to see a public interest justification for this sort of behaviour from so many people. Now, maybe someone can explain it to me — but, if not, I think we need a new look at the ethics of the digital doorstepping and the potential intrusion into people’s lives it bring, through no fault of their own.

> News orgs need to consider their role in creating PTSD. There is evidence on this. Part of the trauma is caused in the aftermath by response
> 
> — Em (@DrEm\_79) [May 23, 2017](https://twitter.com/DrEm%5F79/status/866948986690842624?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)

**Update — 24/5/17:** Sadly, the missing brother is [now confirmed to be dead](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/martyn-hett-victim-terror-attack-13083666?ref=onemanandhisblog.com). Rest in peace, Martyn.

**Update — 25/5/17:** – I’ve followed up this post with a discussion about the problems with the [traditional death knock in the digital age](https://www.onemanandhisblog.com/archives/2017/05/ethical-death-knocks.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com).