It may be ethical, but is it right?

As many are aware, recently there was a major drug bust at TCU. It is unfortunate that students and members of the TCU football team were caught up in illegal activities of selling drugs. The undercover operation lasted 6 months and warrants were issued for the arrest of at least 15 TCU students on the morning of Feburary 15, 2012.

Although it cannot be argued that what these students have been accused of is absolutely illegal, there has been much criticism as to how the arrests were handled. Instead of informing the students that a warrant had been issued for their arrest, they were arrested in the early hours of the morning in their homes. This is often the case when there is risk of the suspects running. However, I do not believe that was the case here. Each of these students would have most likely turned themselves in. Was it necessary to have such an abrupt arrest full of media attention?

Now, the media. It is the media's job to find newsworthy information and share it with the public. The arrest warrants are all public information, as is the fact that these people were arrested. In addition to full-time coverage on television and the Internet, the students pictures were flashed all over the media, including the TCU Skiff.

The law of the United States says you are innocent until proven guilty. These students have not been convicted of any crime. They are suspects, yes. Is it necessary to post their pictures all over the place, including a full page in the Skiff? These students are not a critical harm to the University at this time. Some say this was public humiliation of students for a crime that they have not even been convicted of.

However, the opposite can also be said. These students put themselves, their friends, and most importantly TCU at risk. Their behavior reflects poorly on the school and the poor choices of a very small percentage of the school affects all the students. They made a choice, broke the law, and now must face the consequences.

In a situation like this, it is difficult to determine what is ethical. What is morally right to publish. The public has a right to know, but when is the personal information of these students being revealed constantly cross the line?