Facebook

Here's an ethical question for you all: is it permissible to use photographs of athletes that have been posted to Facebook and can be viewed by anyone logged in?

More and more I'm using the site to do research on high school and college kids (directly related to my beat) and I'm finding some interesting stuff. My editor wanted to use a particular photo I found in our next publication, but I said I wasn't comfortable doing so -- at least, I think I'm not.

This topic has likely been discussed before, but I'm wondering what you all have to say about it.

 

I'd use it for research, absolutely.

Photos? I think not.

 

Right on.

 

Would the photo actually be big enough to print in the paper and it look decent?

 

It isn't your property nor do you have permission to use it.
But, with one simple email, you could attain permission. Without permission, it is unethical.
Not to mention 72dpi (web size) compared to the 150-225dpi your presses print.

 

No. Absolutely not. That would bother a LOT of people. As said, get the permission first, if it's granted at all.

Plus, what kinds of things are you finding on Facebook that you'd want to use that you can't find in a photo somewhere else? If you're finding risque photos - or the one like of Greg Oden at the party - I don't necessarily know that those would be publishable not just for permission uses or resolutions, but also because of the likely content.

 

If you're able to access Brittany Marsh's facebook, do so...she has about five different photo albums posted.

And yes, each of my last three posts have dealt with Brittany Marsh. I don't have a fixation, though.

Maybe a little one.

 

Is she the Louisville cheerleader?

 

Is it true you have to be a college student to have access to facebook?

 

Not anymore. They've opened it up in recent years to pretty much anyone. I don't know the specifics, but I know it's possible to check out college profiles, even if you're not in college.

 

Lady Vol. Check the Bruce Pearl thread for more.

 

Oh, the coach from wherever it was, right?