jour w-120/w ethics and journalism september 2, 2009

JOUR W-120/W Ethics and Journalism

September 2, 2009

Why Are We Here?

What was “right” about this story?

Was this Process Ethical?

Story crashes United’s stock:$1 billion lost

The Associated Press Published Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Is This Picture Ethical?

Do they trust us?

So Why Are We Here?

You cannot succeed as a journalist unless you combine your craft skills with strong critical thinking and sound ethical decision-making

Newsroom decision making is difficult and complex, full of conflicts that go beyond the “facts.”

There’s no board or bar exam for journalists. Codes of ethics have their limits.

WARNING: This job comes with no standard operating instructions.

Journalists have duties and responsibilities

We believe in a journalism of verification rather than assertion, meaning we put a higher premium on accuracy than sensation.

We believe in transparency; that is, we aim to tell you how we know what we know, to attribute information as much as possible to named sources, to rely on documentary evidence when we can.

Journalists have duties and responsibilities

We are agnostic as to where a story may lead; we do not go into a story with an agenda or a pre-conceived notion. We do not manipulate or hide facts to advance an agenda. We preserve our independence from political and economic interests.

We do not work in the service of a party or an industry or a country. When there are competing views, we aim to reflect them.

Journalists have duties and responsibilities

As journalists, we avoid the appearance of the conflict of interest. Our actions in obtaining in information must be held up to public scrutiny.

But

Too often we see “journalism” rewarding prominence, the unique take, standing out from the crowd and the riveting narrative.

Too often, sensationalism is equated with “news” and journalism.

Too often, journalists do not see that their conduct is part of ethical equation

Is it legal? Is it ethical?

Your Teaching Assistants

Your Teaching Assistants Jeanne Harnois Jeremy Fox Franklin Schwarzer

TAs will be your blog “editors” as well as graders

Breaking news

Forty percent of sports reporters admitted in a recent survey to gambling on sports, while 5% said they had bet on sports they had covered.

In addition, those who gamble on sports were more likely than their non-gambling colleagues to admit that gambling hurts objectivity in coverage, according to the study.

The survey, conducted by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State University, polled 285 reporters who cover sports for newspapers and their Web sites.

The report added that gambling on sports by reporters who cover them is banned by the ethics codes of some news organizations, including The New York Times, because of the potential conflict of interest.

Your Assignment

Interview a classmate about the sports betting story.

Should sports writers bet? Why or why not? Should news organizations ban betting?

At the beginning of your paper, tell me a little about your classmate. Name, age, background. Why did this student decide to join the class?

Due Sept. 4, 9 a.m. to journalist.herrin@gmail.com

If You Are A Distance Student

Write the assignment about yourself and your opinions on the betting story. If you are a distance student outside the U.S., write about the most recent ethical controversy in the press.

Don’t forget to tell us about yourself, your background and your reasons for enrolling.

Questions? Concerns?

E-mail Angelia Herrin at journalist.herrin@gmail.com