A few quick comments on this. First, @Marinetimes did update the article, removing the Marine's name and a poorly-chosen photo of her. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done to the Marine; improving the article doesn't change that. 1/ https://twitter.com/DisneyCPT/status/1194364810214944768

A quick definition: the Marine in question had been the victim of sexual abuse. According to RAINN, distribution of sexual or intimate images of someone w/o their consent is online sexual harassment ("revenge porn" or "digital sexual harassment"). Effects can include 2/

anxiety, depression, eating disturbances, feelings of violation/shame/humiliation/loss of control, increased stress levels, panic attacks, and PTSD. 3/

Many things ALLOWED in journalism, such as reporting on an individual's tweets without contacting them directly, not clarifying that a conversation is on the record, and naming the victim of a sexual crime, are permissible but are not considered ETHICAL or best practice. 4/

The Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma at the Columbia Journalism School notes in its tip sheet "Reporting on Sexual Violence" that such reports demand "special care & increased ethical sensitivity...& basic awareness about the psychological impact of trauma." 5/

The tip sheet notes that sexual violence can have broader effects: not just on victims, but on family members and even entire communities. It advises journalists to ask local experts and support organizations if a victim's speaking to the media is likely to make things worse. 6/

The tip sheet also recommends anticipating the impact of publication, and notes that "Journalists have a responsibility to do everything they can to avoid exposing the interviewee to further abuse or undermining their standing in the community." 7/

And this, in my view, is where MCT most fell short. Any responsible journalist who follows the issue of sexual harassment and assault in the military must surely know what the likely fallout of publishing a victim's name and photo will be on the victim and her/his family, 8/

on other victims considering reporting harassment or assault, and on the military community—which continues to struggle with the impact of sexual harassment & assault on military readiness. If the reporter didn't understand this, the editors of MCT certainly should have, and 9/

should have insisted on appropriate edits prior to publication. Going forward, am hoping that @philipathey1 will make time to educate himself further on ethical reporting on victims of sexual abuse, and that the @Marinetimes editors will exercise better oversight. 10/

Just because you CAN report it that way, doesn't mean that you SHOULD.

An apology to the Marine who was the subject of the article would not be out of order. 11/end