Journalists constantly find themselves in ethical/moral conundrums. They have to balance reporting accurate information with protecting sources and, in this instance, potential targets. It is understandable that the New York Times wanted to add as much detail as possible to enhance their overall story. Though when the cost of doing can diminish the quality of life for young children, the media giant should have strongly reconsidered including their names.
I completely agree with Arthur Brisbane’s assessment that the children should not have been named in any media outlet. The issue at hand was with the judge’s decision. The Times should not have included their names its article even if it compromised some of the article’s integrity. It is difficult for adults to deal with harsh criticism. It will be even harder for the children to cope with being painted in a negative light.