ABC News has been criticized for funding DNA testing in 50 dormant court cases in Baltimore, Md. Police say the ABC News show “20/20” paid $8,750 for the testing that exonerated one man of rape and contributed to charges against two others.

ABC paid for half of the tests and the Baltimore Police Department paid for the other half.

Criticism came from media ethicist Bob Steele, director of the journalism ethics program at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla. Steele claims that the agreement “creates some tough ethical terrain,” according to a CNN report. Steele said that ABC disclosing the reasoning was not any cause to “erase the ethical challenges.”

Despite what some may view as a shaky ethical foundation, ABC should be commended for their report. As a result, one man will be exonerated of a crime he did not commit and two others will face the consequences for their crimes. This active journalism is advancing the betterment of society.

ABC reporter Brian Ross contested that paying for the tests was the only way to prove whether a lack of testing was to blame for the large number of unsolved cases. Ross said that the DNA testing provided an alternative to showing each side of the stories.

After completing the story, Ross said that he considers the lack of DNA testing in cases a “national disgrace.”

The effect was realized in Maryland. Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley is requesting funds to buy equipment and train technicians. The city is using the relationship with ABC to ask for funding for a backlog of 5,000 unsolved court cases.

Sometimes the ends justify the means. In this case, ABC saw an opportunity to highlight an important issue. It’s not the first time something like this happened.

A similar example comes from Northwestern University when students, after extensive research in the death penalty issue, exposed serious flaws in the system. As an indirect result, in January 2000 Illinois Gov. George Ryan imposed a moratorium on the death penalty in that state.

In our day and age, DNA testing is the most accurate way to biologically link suspects to evidence – from hair to drops of blood – found at crime scenes. They felt that DNA testing was the only way to complete the story. DNA testing has been invaluable in court cases around the country. It would be a shame to disregard this opportunity to expand its use. ABC’s “20/20” wanted to highlight the issue, and did so with balance and professionalism. While there are ethical questions raised by ABC funding of the testing, it is a commendable purpose and the news story raised questions that could have serious implications in future. It may be a careful line to walk, but one that is important in this instance.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Zach Calef, Omar Tesdell