ABC News faced significant backlash on Wednesday after revealing the identity of a juror from Hunter Biden’s recent trial on federal gun charges. The network aired footage showing the juror’s face, while other major news outlets chose to obscure his identity to respect his request for anonymity.
The juror, referred to as “Juror #10,” had participated in Hunter Biden’s trial, which concluded with Biden being found guilty on three felony gun charges. Juror #10 spoke to multiple news networks following the trial, expressing his desire to remain anonymous due to the intense political scrutiny surrounding the case.
In an audio-only interview with Fox News, Juror #10 conveyed the emotional toll the trial had taken on him. “Honestly, this is quite heart-wrenching because this trial that I — like I said, I never expected to be on a trial like this. I was sitting here today and I listened to all the evidence, and, you know, looking at Mr. Biden over there, you can’t help but take some of these things into factor,” he said. “You know, we’re looking at him. We’re looking at his family. And then at some point, you just got to turn away and, you know, focus more on what the defense is saying, what the prosecution’s saying.”
Despite his clear preference to stay out of the public eye, ABC News chose to show Juror #10’s face during their interview. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from both viewers and media analysts. Nicholas Fondacaro, associate editor of Newsbusters, highlighted the stark contrast between ABC’s approach and that of other networks. “One of these things is not like the other: ABC outs the identity of Juror 10 of the Hunter Biden trial. CBS and NBC took precautions to obscure his face while talking with him, both noted that he wanted his identity protected,” he tweeted, along with screenshots from all three networks.
Fondacaro pointed out that CBS conducted their interview with Juror #10’s back to the camera, ensuring his face was not visible. NBC took similar precautions, blurring his form to protect his identity. In stark contrast, ABC News seemingly ambushed Juror #10 in a parking garage, shoving a camera in his face and disregarding his request for anonymity.
The decision by ABC News to reveal the juror’s identity has sparked a heated debate about journalistic ethics and the responsibilities of news organizations to protect individuals involved in highly sensitive cases. Many argue that ABC’s actions were reckless and unnecessary, potentially putting Juror #10 at risk given the politically charged nature of the trial.
Social media erupted with criticism of ABC News, with many users condemning the network for prioritizing sensationalism over the safety and privacy of an individual. “This is a gross violation of privacy and journalistic integrity,” one user commented. “ABC News should be ashamed of themselves for putting this man in danger.”
Media analysts have also weighed in on the controversy, with some defending ABC’s decision as a pursuit of transparency and others condemning it as a blatant disregard for the juror’s safety. “There’s a fine line between transparency and irresponsibility,” said one media expert. “In this case, ABC News crossed that line.”
As the backlash continues to mount, ABC News has yet to issue a public response or apology for their handling of the interview with Juror #10. The incident has reignited discussions about the ethical responsibilities of journalists, particularly in high-profile cases that attract significant public and political interest.
In the meantime, Juror #10 remains a figure of public interest, caught in the crossfire of a media storm that shows no signs of abating. The controversy surrounding ABC News’s decision underscores the ongoing tension between the public’s right to know and the rights of individuals to privacy and protection from potential harm.
