Many of you probably know that over the summer, the notorious mob leader, James “Whitey” Bulger, was caught after a decades-long chase, arrested, and is awaiting trial. Recently, the Boston Globe published an article identifying the tipster who led the FBI to Bulger and his girlfriend, Catherine Grieg. The tipster was identified as 57-year-old Anna Bjornsdottir of Iceland, who had befriended Grieg. The Globe also included a photograph of the tipster. Soon after the article was published, the Boston Globe was slammed with criticism from other newspapers as well as the FBI. The FBI issued a statement saying that the decision was solely the Globe’s, and that they do not tell the media what information to use and not to use. Many other news outlets criticized the decision for the sake of the tipster’s safety. They say that this may cause other tipsters to be afraid to come forward. One representative said, “This woman, I really feel for her because she’s going to have to look over her shoulder for a long time. I’m sure Whitey still has friend who are in the underworld. I’m sure this woman is in jeopardy” (Dwinell). The Globe defended their decision by citing freedom of speech and press.
The Boston Herald slams the Globe’s decision here: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_1010safety_of_tipster_feared_huge_risk_vs_2m_reward_for_whitey/srvc=home&position=0
The Boston Globe further defends their actions here:
http://articles.boston.com/2011-10-11/news/30267469_1_bulger-and-greig-tipster-martin-baron
What do you think of the Globe’s decision? Do news outlets have the right to publish such information? Do you think the concerns for this woman’s safety are valid, or will she be more safe now that people know her identity? How do you think this will affect possible future informants, as well as the FBI?
I don't think the Globe should of published her name and a picture of her in the article.Yes she gave the FBI an important tip but now she she has to watch her back. I would feel unsafe if I was her. I'm surprised the FBI even let that information out to the public. It seems like information that should be kept private for the "tipsters" safety. Bulger most likely still has some friends on the outside who could go after her.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it will have a big affect on possible future informants but if I did something like that I would want my identity to be kept secret.
The Globe’s decision to publish the identity of the tipster was a poor and an unprofessional decision. The Globe, as a well-known and popular source of information, should take it upon itself to protect the identity of those whom they are reporting information about. It is a moral obligation and professional duty of the Globe to protect the identity of someone involved in a case, especially in this instance that involved a high-profile criminal. News outlets do not possess the right to publish such information; only the police and other governmental authorities have the right to release such information to the public. I think that the concerns expressed by many people for this woman’s safety are extremely valid, and that her safety will not be increased. I think that making her information public puts the woman in a precarious situation where she may feel uncomfortable and concern for her own safety because her case involves a very dangerous and very notorious mobster. Furthermore, I think that this case will greatly affect future informants as well as the FBI, because using this case as a precedent may lead possible informants to believe that if they divulge private information, their own information will be released to the public. Moreover, possible informants may decide that it is not worth it to help the FBI solve cases if the person’s own safety is in jeopardy.
ReplyDeleteI feel that what the Globe has done is criminal. They had no right to disclose this woman's name and put her in harms way. The fact that the Globe covered their asses with the "freedom of speech" line is a little lame to me. How is this woman's freedom to live her life without constantly looking over her shoulder working for her? Where's the fairness? The Globe had no right informing their patrons of this woman's whereabouts as well. I don't see the Globe informing the public of every sex-offenders name and address. Because of what the globe has done many future tipsters may question whether or not they should disclose any information and risk there identity being exposed and their life being put in danger. How does the Globe justify what they believe will benefit the public? I personally do not benefit from knowing this woman's name, but we all know who does.
ReplyDeleteThe Globe did the tipster a disservice; it was wrong of them to do. They published her identity to the world and now she must constantly live in fear. News outlets should not have the right to publish that information. She did help out the FBI, but now she has to watch her back and could lose her life at any moment. There is no doubt that Bulger still has outside sources that could potentially harm the tipster. It is not fair to her that she can't live in safety. She, now, probably has no idea who she can trust because it could be a risk and be harmful to her life.
ReplyDeleteWhitey Bulger was clearly a dangerous man, linked to many crimes throughout his whole life. The connections he has made with people in his life could be deadly for Anna. I thought all tips were supposed to remain annoynmous. I used to work at a retail store and they had an annoymous tip line employees could call if they saw follow employees shoplifting. You identity would be protected so as not to cause a problem between workers. Other people who may have tips about crimes are going to be unwilling to share information to the police if they know their identity will be revealed. I do not think that information should have been published. Instead, they could have changed her name or just refer to her as "an insider" as many magazines do.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Globe had the right to publish an article on the tipster, but that doesn’t mean I believe it to be right. Having her name and origin published could lead to one of Bulger’s friends from the past to harm, or even kill, the Icelandic woman. You can’t say that the Globe is not allowed to post an article about the tipster because it is in their constitutional right in the freedom of speech. They should have just been more considerate of the life of the woman and the consequences of their actions. She was an anonymous tipster but in the Globe’s article they pinpointed the woman who received the $2 million reward. I guess if she is willing to take the money she must have known she would get publicity out of it because Bulger was on the most wanted list for so long. As far as the FBI and other tipsters, I don’t believe that this will have any effect unless the criminal is as well known as Whitey Bulger. Each case is different and I don’t think that one will affect the other.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that the Globe's decision to publish that information about Anna Bjornsdottir was flat out selfish. When publishing the woman's name and information, the Boston Globe was only thinking about themselves and how their story would be eye opening and interesting for the public to read. It is safe to say that articles published with more information on the issue will get more popularity, because society feeds off the latest news and headlines. The Boston Globe had the right to post the woman's name, but it was not considerate of them. Bjornsdottir's safety is absolutely in jeopardy; the people associated with Bulger are definitely going to be bitter and want revenge for the woman opening her mouth. This is not fair to Bjornsdottir, all she was doing was trying to help end an ongoing search of this criminal and to solve the case. Now the woman has to walk around scared, knowing there are some people that will be out to get her. She will most likely have to change the way she looks and her identity for protection.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that the Boston Globe's decision to publish the information was wrong, but she also knew what she was getting herself into. The tipster knew about Whitey's background and to go along with what Mikaela said that if you take the money you should be aware of the publicity that comes with it. This lady did a very brave thing in going to the police about a man who has been on the loose for decades. This lady has the fortitude to go to the police when not many others would to capture him once and for all. Since she did such a heroic thing, people would think that she should be in the paper, but it protects from others. There might be an extreme Whitey supporter out there or Whitey could have outside people to take care of her. I just do not see how posting her name could help because the only thing it can do is hurt
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with the Boston Globe's decision to publish this lady's information. She was willing to help them find this person, thinking she would be safe, and then her information and picture was released. Personally, something similar happened to me over the summer (but not as severe). I got in a car accident in an extremely bad area and the guy who hit me didn't have a license and he was on parole. He begged me not to call the cops, but I had to so he ran from the scene. Detectives were calling asking me to come into their office to look at pictures to see if I could identify the man, but my mom did't want me to because she was worried they would find out who I was. If the guy ever did find out I indentified him, my mom was nervous he would come after me. Obviously this isn't as severe, but I can still relate. Especially when dealing with mobsters, her information shouldn't have gotten out because she was put in danger.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Boston Globe had the right to publish the identity of the informant. I do not believe, however, that doing so was the appropriate or professional action to take. The Globe is a well-reputable source of information, read by millions every day. To put the informant’s name in the media relative to such a popular case puts her safety at risk. Due to the allegations and convictions brought forth upon Bulger, it is valid to assume he has connections to people who may, in vengeance of Bjornsdottir leading the FBI to Bulger, want to harm her.
ReplyDeleteI believe future informants will be more apprehensive to come forward in fear of having their identities leaked. This, in turn, will hinder the ability of the FBI to receive valuable tips from informants in a number of cases and situations.
I do not think that the Globes decision to publish that information was a good decision. I don't think that the media should publish information that puts people in danger. In this ladies case, her life will now be forever changed. Certain people are going to know who she is when she walks down the street because the Globe published her picture. Mobsters connected to Bulger are now going to look for revenge on this lady and go out to hurt her. I think that this information will discourage people in the future to talk to the FBI and help them out. People are not going to want to risk putting their identity and reputation on the line to help out the FBI.
ReplyDelete