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Editors Note by Paul DeMain:
The issue of Native Journalists, their involvement in investigating a murder case and ethics have come up recently in discussions by members of the American Indian Movement, who claim "it is unethical" for journalists to be subpoenaed, consult with, or provide information to law enforcement officials. Some have pointed to the "Dean" of Native Journalists, Yakama writer Richard V. LaCourse in claiming he would never have "cooperated" with law enforcement authorities in investigating the case. While there are fine lines to the issue, LaCourse outlined his position, that written articles, documents in the public domain and books written and available to the public, and their back ground documentations, was sharable because it was part of the "public record." Here is LaCourse' 1999 letter to Detective Abe Alonzo of Denver, when LaCourse provided him with a compilation of documents LaCourse said were, or would be in the public sector.
The issue of Native Journalists, their involvement in investigating a murder case and ethics have come up recently in discussions by members of the American Indian Movement, who claim "it is unethical" for journalists to be subpoenaed, consult with, or provide information to law enforcement officials. Some have pointed to the "Dean" of Native Journalists, Yakama writer Richard V. LaCourse in claiming he would never have "cooperated" with law enforcement authorities in investigating the case. While there are fine lines to the issue, LaCourse outlined his position, that written articles, documents in the public domain and books written and available to the public, and their back ground documentations, was sharable because it was part of the "public record." Here is LaCourse' 1999 letter to Detective Abe Alonzo of Denver, when LaCourse provided him with a compilation of documents LaCourse said were, or would be in the public sector.
