At WMAR we strive every day to truly reflect our Maryland community. Our team of journalists works hard to create authentic connections with those in the community, communities where they live, shop and worship.
Admittedly, we are not always perfect.
Here’s one example. In March of 2019 News Director Kelly Groft logged onto www.wmar2news.com in the morning to start her day. In what we call the “top 6”, the top 6 stories on the website, 5 of the stories contained mug shots, the 6th was weather.
Stories with just mug shots do not reflect the quality of stories the WMAR-2 News team tells in the community. On March 9th she challenged the digital team to try a day without mug shots in the top 6, “no mug shot Monday”. The team quickly saw the change of the look and feel of our website and how it better reflected our community. Now very rarely will you see a mug shot in our “top 6”. There are stipulations: someone who is wanted and a current threat to the community, or police believe the pictured person could have more victims.
Here is our policy:
Mug shots should only be used on broadcast if:Mug shots should only be used on our website if:
- A person is an immediate threat to the community and having a photo on the air will protect the community
- Police are seeking additional victims in a caand se, sharing the photo on the air may help others come forward
- Person is a high-profile individual: local politician, law enforcement, or widely known to Baltimore
- Person is posing an immediate threat to the community and having a photo on the air will protect the community
- Police are seeking additional victims in a case, sharing the photo on the air may help others come forward
- Person is a high-profile individual: local politician, law enforcement, or widely known to Baltimore
We believe in journalism and the power of local news.
We believe in holding the powerful accountable.
We believe in this community.
We believe in our role in helping your family rebound financially and mentally from the events of the world.
We believe in honoring our Veterans.
We also know we are not perfect. Our News Director, Kelly Groft, wants to hear from you, the good and the bad. She can be reached at groft@wmar.com or by phone at 410-372-2576.
If you have a story idea you can send those to storyideas@wmar.com.
