NEW YORK (AP) – In the midst of documenting the unfolding disaster in Texas, several news reporters covering Harvey’s flooding this week have set aside their roles as observers to help people in danger.
They’ve lifted people into boats, connected families through social media, flagged down rescuers and coaxed people out of a flooding apartment house. They say the dire situations they’ve seen because of the hurricane have left them no choice.
Generally reporters try to stay out of stories because their job is to inform the public. But one ethicist says she empathizes with reporters caught covering Harvey, with so many people badly in need of help.
One issue for networks is whether these instances are played up to the point they overshadow the victims, who are the real story.