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Perhaps it was trying to be the first – with the name. Breaking news…?

Shame on TNP and especially since it is mainstream, supposed to be professional. But noadays, you never know.. professionalism with MSM in Singapore – maybe in another century.

Good that you figured out most of the supporters appear to be from SPH.. well, it has already happened at the various other sites

its so simple. and yet unethical

Thanks for coming forward to discuss this matter and I hope that we will all learn something about ethical reporting, be it on the mainstream media or on the new media.

I agree with you that the name of the patient won’t be kept secret forever, but ideally the name of the patient should be limited to people who are acquaintances of the patient who are more likely to have a genuine stake and interest in the identity of the patient because either

1) the patient might have come into contact with some people whom may not realise that they are at a higher risk of being infected

2) these people are friends or family and truly show concern towards the patient

The point I hope to drive here is the issue of privacy. I agree that there are many irresponsible and immature people who make thoughtless comments that hurt, and such reaction and behaviour is something which leaves much to be desired. This is a fact which will not change even if TNP does not report the name of the patient.

However, if the patient’s name is not reported and thus not widely known, people making these comments would not be able to target their comments personal and directed at the patient, and the impact or trauma on the patient might be significantly lesser. Hence, I think by not reporting the name, whether by request or not, it is simply respecting the patient’s privacy which is a basic right that I think all of us should be entitled to.

In particular, I strongly sympathize with the SARS patient mentioned in the TNP article. While drawing parallels with previous cases is not uncommon in newspaper articles, TNP may want to consider how much trauma it will cause to the SARS patient who lost both her parents. Furthermore, by mentioning the name again such that readers remember exactly who she is, TNP is further aggravating her emotional wound.

As such, to prevent unnecessary disturbances to the patients involved, I feel that all media, including TNP, should refrain from publishing the names of the patients anymore. We should respect them and show support for them as they engage in the fight against such potent diseases.

I agree with dk and I think media should have the responsibility not to reveal the girl’s name as it is unethical to do so and there could be unintended consequences that needs to be considered. I think there is too much sensationalism in TNP.