On Sunday afternoon, a picture popped up on my Twitter timeline that showed the gruesome injury of Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. It was a shocker, and after a few additional clicks, I found out the picture was published in Opelika-Auburn News with the headline, “Finding a Way.”

As a journalist, my heart sank in dismay with the quality of journalism that had been produced. Journalists losing compassion is a very scary thought. Yes, it is football, and the adrenaline on both sides runs extremely high, but once a player is injured, you don’t make a mockery of it by printing a half-page photo of the injured moment and add a heartless headline to that injury. It is just not done. 

The Society of Professional Journalists has laid out the Code of Ethics as a means for journalists to fall back on for reference or guidance. In its second clause it clearly mentions minimizing harm.

“Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage, be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.”

It was one of those moments on Sunday. Fans from all across the country, including fans of Ole Miss’s rival Mississippi State, joined in wishing Treadwell a speedy recovery. In times like these, as people with publishing power, we must ensure sensitivity is maintained and human values overpower journalistic preferences. 

Beat reporter for the Opelika-Auburn News, Alex Byington, in a response on Twitter to someone who asked whether it was tasteless to publish the picture said, “Not at all. It was the game-defining play, & a great shot of it by @fototodd. Treadwell suffered an injury, nothing more.”

We are all humans; we make mistakes. As journalists there are times when you do commit those errors, but what follows is extremely crucial in maintaining the high standards of the profession. An apology from the reporter, though not directly responsible necessarily for the choice of the contentious image, could have helped make things better instead of going on the defensive for an explanation. This hurt the fans and people who follow the media closely more.

The editorial board of Opelika-Auburn News on Sunday issued a statement titled “Our View: Best wishes for Laquon Treadwell” in which they apologized for the possible insensitivity their choice of image showed.

“The picture, shot during the final minutes of Saturday’s game between Auburn and Ole Miss, shows Treadwell just before he fumbles the football, with his left ankle contorted. Treadwell suffered a season-ending injury on the play…” and they continue, defending their choice as journalists. 

“However, it was also one of the most crucial plays in a contest between two top-five college football teams. The picture is gut-wrenching. It also tells the story. That’s why we chose to run it. As journalists, our primary job is to report what happens — whether by words or photos. Often, what we write or publish is unpleasant. Regarding the photo, this was one of those instances. We did not intend to glorify Treadwell’s injury or offend any reader. To any person hurt by our editorial decision, we apologize.”

Most of the readers of Opelika-Auburn News publicly said they did not support the decision of the newspaper. Some called it tasteless, classless. Auburn fans condemned it as well. 

Freedom of press is an important clause in the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As media professionals we enjoy a certain freedom other countries don’t. Shouldn’t we respect this and be held accountable to our readers and viewers? As journalists, for whom do we work? Isn’t it the general public? My allegiance as a journalist is to the Constitution and then to the citizens of this country. If my readers will be hurt by seeing a disturbing picture, I should ask myself, “why am I publishing this?” 

Personally, I am very optimistic of this profession; as journalists we play an important role in society. We hold people accountable for several things; our motto has always been and will always be, citizens first, common men, women and children above anything else. In conclusion, I hope the editorial board of Opelika-Auburn News spends quality time debating and discussing the decision to print and the explanation that followed.