7. Exploiting a News Story

 Exploiting a News Story

The standard definition of exploit is a striking or notable deed. The verb definition means to utilize, especially for profit; turn to practical amount or to use selfishly for one's own ends. This can easily refer to a news story. The most successful news stories are far in depth of detail and outline every single bit of the person or organization's story. Exploitation isn't always used for wrong reasons, but generally, news stories that exploit the story of others are harmful. 

Exploiting a news story is simply putting the strong want for a successful story above protecting the vulnerabilities of another person. Some people who are being exploited can find themselves in situations where they experience abuse and violence, and may be forced to take part in criminal activities. Of course, this is not always the case, but it is more common than realized. Journalists create these stories that appear fascinating or intriguing, and this entices viewers to read the story and if possible, engage with online commentary. 

Exploitation is not always wrong, but in most cases is always harmful to the person that the story is about. It is not always considered by reporters of what exploitations were experienced before publishing the story. It violates one's right to privacy, and it takes advantage of someone that has little power for themselves. 

"Reporters and vulnerable sources"

This article was published in August of 2023, and it discusses the power and responsibility journalists hold when being confided in story telling by someone who has been exploited. The article mentions that even things as small as a word and its synonyms make an entire difference. The word "tape," for example, is just an object but makes all the difference in a story. It can change the atmosphere of a story. If you are a journalist with the responsibility of writing someone's story, it is imperative to keep things like that in mind to avoid exploitation and causing harm to others.