Ethics Lecture

The JOURNALIST’S CODE

A Lecture on Ethics & Proper Conduct

The FOUR RULES OF JOURNALISM

1. Seek the truth and report it.2. Minimize harm.3. Act independently.4. Be accountable.

Source: Society of Professional Journalists

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.

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 at The New York Times.

• He resigned May 2003.

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

THE DON IMUS INCIDENT

• In 2007, Don Imus, a famous radio talk

show host, called the Rutgers’ lady basketball team, “Nappy headed ho’s.”

• 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.

MINIMIZE HARM.

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

• DO NOT violate people’s 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 suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed.

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.

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?

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.

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”

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.

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?