Ethics Lecture

• 1. The JOURNALISTS CODE A Lecture on Ethics & Proper Conduct

2. The FOUR RULES OF JOURNALISM

• Seek the truth and report it.

• Minimize harm.

• Act independently.

• Be accountable.

• Source: Society of Professional Journalists

3. SEEK THE TRUTH AND REPORT IT.

• DO NOT plagiarize.

• DO report accurately. Never distort the truth.

• DO give subjects a chance to respond to allegations.

• DO NOT stage news events.

• DO identify sources whenever feasible.

• DO support the open exchange of all views.

• DO NOT use undercover methods of newsgatherings.

• DO give voice to the voiceless.

• DO NOT stereotype subjects.

• DO avoid blurring lines between advertising and news.

4. The JAYSON BLAIR AFFAIR

• This embattled journalist became the unfortunate face of plagiarism in the news world.

• He was, at one time, a top reporter atThe New York Times .

• He resigned May 2003.

• Blair has admitted to a drug problem. Would you have fired him?

5. THE DON IMUS INCIDENT

• In 2007, Don Imus,

• a famous radio talk show host, called the Rutgers lady basketball team, Nappy headed hos.

• CBS fired him.

• Soon, he got his job back, and hired an African American woman to be his co-host.

• Was it right for media outlets to play his soundbite, even though it was truthful?Take a listen.

6. MINIMIZE HARM.

• DO show compassion for people who may be affected adversely by your coverage, especially children.

• DO NOT violate peoples privacy.

• DO exercise sensitivity when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.

• DO recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort to subjects. Use tact.

• DO use caution about identifying juvenile suspects or sex crime victims.

• DO be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.

• DO balance a criminal suspects fair trial rights with the publics right to be informed.

7. THE ZODIAC KILLER QUANDARY

• The Zodiac Killer was a serial killer who murdered people in Northern California in the 1960s.

• His identity remains unknown.

• The Zodiac taunted the press in letters. His letters included four cryptograms, three of which remain unsolved.

• At the time, the press was unsure of whether it was ethical to publish the cryptograms.

8. THE VIRGINIA TECH MURDERS

• On April 16, 2007,a Virginia Tech student took the lives of 32 people and wounded many others on campus.

• The massacre was the deadliest shooting incident by a single gunman in United States history, on or off a school campus.

• Immediately after the killings, a tape featuring the gunman surfaced. Would you have aired it?

9. ACT INDEPENDENTLY.

• DO avoid conflicts of interest.

• DO NOT accept gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment.

• DO remain free of associations and activities that may damage your credibility.

• DO NOT bid on news. Beware of sources offering information for favors or money.

• DO disclose unavoidable conflicts.

• DO hold those with power accountable.

10. THE armstroNG WILLIAMS SCANDAL

• In 2005, Pres. Bush paid conservative talk show host Armstrong Williams $240,000 to endorse the No Child Left Behind Act.

• Williams called the decision bad judgment.

• His newspaper column and show were dropped.

• Source: Washington Post

• Administration Paid Commentator

11. Be accouNtable.

• Clarify and explain news coverage.

• Invite dialogue with the public.

• Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.

• Admit mistakes. Correct them promptly.

• Expose unethical practices of the media.

12. HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING...

• When is it okay to play sound bites that may offend some?

• When is it okay to air or write potentially sensitive information?

• When might it be okay to accept payment for a news story?

• How can we hold the media accountable for their ethical decisions?