Uploading Public Outburst to YouTube

Question

Dear Rabbi,
Yesterday I was in the supermarket when a middle aged woman got angry at the customer service for a reason unknown to me. She then went on a profanity laced tirade in which she screamed at the employees. For most of the approximately 6 minutes this went on, I filmed the incident and showed the footage to my immediate family and a few friends. She then left quickly when she heard the police were on the way. As far as I know, her identity is unknown to the store and the police, and I surely have no idea who she is. The police just took a report, but because no money was stolen and no one was hurt, they don’t have any further plans to identify her.
I have seen a lot of viral videos just like that on YouTube, taken by people who chose to film it just like I did. What I would like to know is if Jewish law permits publishing videos like this. I am concerned it could be Lashon Hara, or if any other laws prohibit posting this, since it is shameful to the woman who lost control.

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    In general, if the reason to upload the footage was to warn other people to stay away from a potentially dangerous person, it would be permissible to do so. If, however, the reasoning behind uploading it is for entertainment value – so that people can laugh at the sad sight of an adult behaving like a small child – then it would be forbidden.

    And even if it were possible to find some legal reasoning to allow the footage to be uploaded, I would still recommend that you not do so. We all have days when our behavior leaves a lot to be desired, and we act or react in a way that does not reflect our real selves. Imagine if someone had videoed you just as you lost control, and then posted it in a public forum. The embarrassment and the public humiliation could be enough to permanently damage your self-esteem. And all because of a momentary lapse of judgment and control.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team