The dark side of journalism

A chara, – I was moved by Tuesday's feature on the problem of reporters calling on families who suffer "newsworthy" bereavements ("Death knocks: the dark side of journalism", September 30th). It is indeed disturbing to read of journalistic practices of this sort being so widespread. But what demonstrated this further was that its author had to conceal his or her identity and so the article was published anonymously. Does our media industry have to be so nasty that when unethical practices are exposed by journalists, their careers are threatened? – Is mise,

DONAL Mac ERLAINE,

Dublin 8.