Can a TV news station do this?

[bk_jam]

Missouri, anywhere.

I was recently charged with a crime and the local news media (blogs, local news channels and newspapers) obviously covered the story. There is a TV news station that has my story posted as a video news clip. Shown in the news clip is the top of the arrest warrant complete with my name, address, social security number and date of birth.

Is this okay for them to do? Furthermore, is this considered public information? It seems outrageous and unprofessional. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I can only imagine the implications this could have on my future, regardless of the outcome of my case.

How many other accused persons have their personal information blasted on the local news? Is this seriously okay for the press to do this??

Any thoughts?

 

[Isis1]

Missouri, anywhere.

I was recently charged with a crime and the local news media (blogs, local news channels and newspapers) obviously covered the story. There is a TV news station that has my story posted as a video news clip. Shown in the news clip is the top of the arrest warrant complete with my name, address, social security number and date of birth.

Is this okay for them to do? Furthermore, is this considered public information? It seems outrageous and unprofessional. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I can only imagine the implications this could have on my future, regardless of the outcome of my case.

How many other accused persons have their personal information blasted on the local news? Is this seriously okay for the press to do this??

Any thoughts?

all that, is public information. the SSN, is not. are you sure they posted that?

did they say you committed the crime? or that you were accused of it? did they use the words alleged? they can say you were arrested, and they can say what you were arrested for. all public information.

OJ seems to do just fine with his implications....okay, well not after the last incident...

 

[quincy]

It is seriously okay for the media to publish everything you mentioned here, other than the social security number, and publishing that could get them in some legal hot water.

The media does have to be careful in how they handle crime stories, but publishing the facts of an incident, and publishing true, accurate, fair, and pertinent information about those involved in the incident, is legal (with very few exceptions).

Hopefully you will be exonerated of all charges filed against you, and the media can then cover that, as well.

 

[bk_jam]

Thanks so much for your replies. I am completely fine with the news media using public information, such as my name, address and the charges against me.

The news anchors used the phrase "charged with."

What gave me whiplash when I saw this was that my social security number and date of birth were right there for anyone to see.

Thanks so much for the advice.

 

[Some Random Guy]

I would suggest a strongly worded letter asking them to

1. Pay for credit monitoring services for 5 years.
2. Edit the tape to blur the SSN and DOB so that it does not get rebroadcast.
3. Remove the original tape from any websites that the station may be hosting it on.

If they fail to immediately remove the tape from their websites, then contact a lawyer to ratchet up the pressure and possibly file suit.