Privacy of a 911 call?

[question everything]

When someone calls 911 can one expects some kind of privacy and not having the call blasted on the news and on the Internet?

Yes, these calls may be used as evidence in a trial, and they may show how quickly - or not - such calls for help were answered. And, sometimes, we can listen to a toddler knowing that if mommy is not responding, to call 911 and to say "mommy is asleep" or something.

But when NBC Nightly News - starting with the Tiger Wood story, and then with the party crashers - "promises" to broadcast the 911 call when it becomes available, I have to wonder: are these calls really public calls? If someone calls 911 shouldn't one expects some privacy?

There have been also instances when a shrieking, terrorized person - usually a woman - calls 911 and these calls are released, too. Why? What is the purpose, except to satisfy the sense of voyeurism?

[aikoaiko]

1. Ultimately, I think it is for the best that 911 calls be made public

The truth is best revealed.

[question everything]

3. Unless there is a very specific reason

like help in finding the criminal, or lessons on how they are handled or how they should - what can possible be the benefit from broadcasting the dying screams of a woman being attacked to death?

What is the public benefit of the Tiger Wood's call?

[pitohui]

10. the public benefit of the tiger wood's call?

i dunno, a pretty good discussion of driving whilst under the influence of pain medication or the fact that domestic abuse doesn't just happen to poor and/or female people -- those seem like two topics that are worthy of public discussion to me?

i did not listen to the 911 call of my murdered neighbor but i read the transcript and there's information there, it isn't just screams, it's also the heroism of how she protected her children, it confirms the testimony of her under-aged child, put on the stand in a death penalty case

i think when you're asking for a man's life, you need more than the word of a 9 year old...

there are valid reasons for the public to hear this, it isn't pretty and i don't go out of my way to hear this stuff, but it's valid information

[aikoaiko]

13. I think its important for people who lead sheltered lives to hear the reality of terror

so that they aren't so quick to dismiss it. The Nicole Simpson 911 tapes are an old example, but when they were aired people had a harder time blaming the victim.

As far as Tiger Woods -- I haven't paid much attention so I can't comment.

[RKP5637]

2. I think they should be private too. I think it's outrageous how many 911 calls

are blast all over by the media or even released by the police for such purposes.

I think the victims should be reimbursed by the media for the obscene profit they make by broadcasting these tapes and making money from advertising fees. The media should be splitting their advertising profits with the victims they are making money off of IMO. I really think the media sucks big time.

[Trekologer]

4. There is no expectation of privacy on a 911 call

Unlike a private conversation between two individuals, a 911 call is a communication to a public agency or someone acting on behalf of that agency. It is a matter of public record and is retrievable under a FOIA (freedom of information act) request.

[question everything]

5. I can understand that. I just wish there were some sort of decency

by the media and YouTube and blogs not to broadcast something that does not add to the case or to how we use it just because blood curdling screams may increase revenue.

[Trekologer]

6. The subject of news reporting is certainly a debatable topic

However, there are often good reasons for playing recordings of 911 calls, such as keeping the public officials accountable. Unfortunately, there have been far too many cases where the 911 operator dispatches the emergency services to the wrong address (or not at all), despite the caller clearly providing the correct address to the operator.

[blues90]

7. They should be private

The damn stinking news always goes for the shock value,always!

If I heard my call on the damn TV news that I made if something happened to my wife they would be hearing for me.

IT's an invasion of what little privacy we have left in this shell of a country. Beside that it's no one's damn business or right to put these calls live for all to hear.

I hope the very next time any news show does this their transmitting towers explode and they are off the air for a damn year then we can hear their calls as the run from the station. Pricks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pitohui]

8. they're public information

sorry, but i've heard many 911 calls released just in our local area

some of them are indeed chilling, but if the calls are kept secret info, then how would we know if the police were telling the truth or just creating excitement to raise the millage on election day?

[question everything]

14. They should certainly be aired in court if there is a question

of the police telling the truth, and I think this happens often. I don't think, however, that when media outlets broadcast 911 calls they have the truth is their main objective. I think that, at least on this point, we can agree.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. 9.11 calls and transcripts of them are

public record. They are not private.

[cynatnite]

11. I have no problem with 911 calls being made public...

most of the time they will edit out names of the callers and others that might be involved.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

12. 911 calls are public information.

[Posteritatis]

15. I've noticed more and more of them publicised lately too

"Stupid 911 caller" type things on radio stations are starting to become popular, for instance. Between that and the situations you mention there, it's something I'm really uncomfortable with.