It is crucial to encourage migrants to share their stories with the public so that the public can understand their current situation and find solutions to assist them. However, this places additional responsibility on news outlets to protect the identities of asylum seekers. As most of us know, many migrants in the border cities between the United States and Mexico are currently facing a cruel situation.
This has several consequences, the most significant of which is vulnerability for individuals and states. Without government recognition, migrants lack the protection it affords and without identification documents they enter the informal economy where they may be vulnerable to exploitation. This is the primary reason why news organizations must assume a greater level of responsibility and safeguard the identities of migrants while informing the community.
There are numerous instances in which migrants flee their country because their lives are in danger from violence and drug gangs. Most migrants who undertake the risky journey believe they have escaped danger. But at times they are uncovered by news organizations without permission to photograph or film them. Media outlets have the responsibility to protect the identities of migrants and cover their faces to reduce their danger.
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