In response to heightened fears under the Trump administration, government workers, teachers, and green card holders are requesting the removal of their names from old news articles. This unprecedented rise in requests, especially following incidents like the detainment of a student by ICE, highlights the current climate of fear. Journalists, including Kevin Naff of the Washington Blade, express concern about the implications on both personal safety and journalistic integrity when removing sources, posing ethical dilemmas for newsrooms amidst challenging political regimes.
The rise of these requests speaks to the level of fear under the Trump administration. "These are unprecedented times in many ways," Naff said.
Taking down stories or removing sources 'is not something I've ever done before with the exception of foreign sources who are facing life and death situations,' Naff said.
After Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk was snatched off the street of Somerville, Massachusetts, several student newspapers reported a surge of requests for name removals.
This is not a simple or easy decision to make, as the consequences of removing names can affect both the individuals involved and the integrity of the newsroom.
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