Accident Photo & Video Ethics Policy

Our Commitment

Kiwi News Network provides real-time coverage of crashes, fires, police activity, and major incidents across Central Indiana. With that responsibility comes a clear ethical standard: we inform the public without exploiting victims or interfering with emergency response.

This page outlines how we handle photos and videos from accident scenes.

What We Never Publish

To protect victims, families, and the integrity of emergency operations, Kiwi News Network does not publish:

  • Injured or deceased individuals
  • Close-ups of medical treatment
  • Faces, identifying clothing, or personal items
  • Audio of people in distress
  • Images that could reveal a victim before next-of-kin notification
  • Footage that interferes with active rescue operations

What We Do Publish

We focus on information that serves the community, including:

  • Wide shots of the scene
  • Vehicle damage without identifiable victims
  • Road closures, traffic impacts, and hazards
  • Fire/EMS/police activity from a respectful distance
  • Debris fields, skid marks, and scene context

Our goal is to show what happened, where it happened, and how it affects the public — without showing someone’s worst moment.

Timing and Sensitivity

We avoid posting close-range footage during active rescue operations. Once the scene is stabilized, we may share wider context shots that help the public understand the situation.

If an incident involves minors, we apply heightened caution and may withhold images entirely.

Accuracy and Verification

We do not speculate about causes, injuries, or fault. Early information is clearly labeled as unconfirmed until verified by authorities.

Why We Share Scene Photos

Accident scene images provide real-world value to the community:

  • Alerting drivers to closures and delays
  • Documenting major incidents
  • Providing transparency about emergency response
  • Helping residents understand what’s happening in their area

Our coverage is meant to inform — never sensationalize.

Submitting Photos or Videos

Community members may submit media, but all submissions are reviewed under the same ethical standards listed above. Content that violates these guidelines will not be published.

Questions or Concerns

If you have concerns about a specific post or image, you can contact Kiwi News Network directly through our Facebook page or website contact form. We take all concerns seriously and review them promptly.

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