SPJThe Society of Professional Journalists has issued a statement in response to the media’s on-air treatment of private property belonging to husband and wife shooters Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik.

In a premeditated, allegedly ISIS-inspired attack, Farook and Malik last week opened fire on Farook’s San Bernardino Department of Public Health co-workers before the couple was killed later that day by law enforcement.

On Friday, dozens of reporters from CNN, CBS, BBC and MSNBC stormed the shooters' Redlands, California townhouse where the couple had lived with their daughter and Farook’s mother. In the course of doing so, reporters rummaged through cupboards and closets, and broadcast footage of personal belongings — children’s books, photographs, and at one point, sensitive personal documents including a driver's license — on live television.

These images drew wide criticism on social media, where many voiced concerns regarding the media's broadcasting of personal documents belonging to those who may not have participated in a crime, and stoked worries that the press' foraging could jeopardize the integrity of a potential crime scene.

“Journalists should feel free to investigate stories when and where possible. They need to minimize harm in their reporting, however," said Andrew Seaman, SPJ ethics committee chair. "Walking into a building and live broadcasting the pictures, addresses and other identifying information of children or other people who may have no involvement in the story does not represent best and ethical practices.”

Media alleged they were allowed inside the two-story townhome by the building’s landlord. A Friday FBI press statement later clarified that the scene had already been cleared by the bureau, and that its investigation had been completed at that location.

MSNBC, which bore the brunt of the public's criticism, apologized for the incident, with the network claiming that "we regret that we briefly showed images of photographs and identification cards that should not have been aired without review.”

In a press statement today, San Bernardino officials called on media to exhibit sensitivity in their coverage of the event.