A wave of local publications are considering requests to wipe or edit old articles to give their subjects a fresh start

Summary

Some U.S. newspapers are adopting “clean slate” programs to remove or edit old crime stories, aiming to reduce barriers for people who have moved on from minor offenses.

Inspired by the harmful effects of searchable archives, newsrooms like The Oregonian and Cleveland.com consider requests to delete names, mugshots, or entire articles.

Critics argue these stories perpetuate stigma, while advocates see the programs as tools for fairness and rehabilitation.

Newsrooms are also rethinking current crime coverage to minimize long-term harm and prioritize ethical reporting.

  • xmunk
    38·
    3 days ago

    Good.

    If there’s a safety reason you need to know about someone’s history there are systems in place - it’s unnecessary to perpetuate someone’s punishment by forever marking them in casual searches.

      • xmunk
        16·
        3 days ago

        So would I - but that’s not the society we live in.

    • NaibofTabr@infosec.pubEnglish
      61·
      3 days ago

      “The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it.”
      ~ John Gilmore

      It’s extremely difficult to actually expunge information from the public internet, for both good and ill.