Ethics in JournalismEthics in Journalism

““Truth and Objectivity”Truth and Objectivity”

ObjectivityObjectivity

Not showing opinion or bias.Not showing opinion or bias.

Early 20Early 20thth Century Century

““Reporters were supposed to get the Reporters were supposed to get the facts and keep their own opinion out facts and keep their own opinion out of what they wrote. In practice this of what they wrote. In practice this meant that they would interview one meant that they would interview one official and relay that person’s official and relay that person’s comments as accurately as possible.” comments as accurately as possible.” -- page 40 -- page 40

QuestionQuestion

Is it the job of the media to report what Is it the job of the media to report what someone says, even if what they said is someone says, even if what they said is absurd and probably incorrect? absurd and probably incorrect?

Should they fact-check what is said and let Should they fact-check what is said and let the reader know what they found out? the reader know what they found out?

Is this bias?Is this bias?

QuestionQuestion

When would it be acceptable to print a When would it be acceptable to print a story based on information from only one story based on information from only one source?source?

Joseph McCarthyJoseph McCarthy

Senator (R – Wis.)Senator (R – Wis.)Held hearing ins 1950s Held hearing ins 1950s accusing many public officials of accusing many public officials of helping the Communists helping the Communists infiltrate the American infiltrate the American governmentgovernmentMany public officials were Many public officials were forced to resignforced to resignMany actors were “blacklisted” Many actors were “blacklisted” and struggled to find workand struggled to find work

Joseph McCarthyJoseph McCarthy

As a journalist, what is your As a journalist, what is your responsibility here? responsibility here?

You know he is wrong, but you are You know he is wrong, but you are supposed to remain objective. supposed to remain objective.

What choices do you have?What choices do you have?

Edward R. MurrowEdward R. Murrow

Murrow’s coverage of McCarthy gained Murrow’s coverage of McCarthy gained him fame and respect:him fame and respect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEvEmkMNYHY

Edward R. MurrowEdward R. Murrow

Wasn’t that bias?Wasn’t that bias?

Isn’t that a violation of the Code of Ethics?Isn’t that a violation of the Code of Ethics?

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

One outcome of the McCarthy era was One outcome of the McCarthy era was that many reporters and editors that many reporters and editors recognized that truth telling meant more recognized that truth telling meant more than simply compiling what officials said. than simply compiling what officials said. They began to seek out additional sources They began to seek out additional sources for their reports. -- page 42for their reports. -- page 42

Student QuestionsStudent Questions

……

Can balance produce lazy Can balance produce lazy journalism?journalism?

Presenting both sides may provide a more Presenting both sides may provide a more complete story than the single-source complete story than the single-source stories of the past. But it may not help stories of the past. But it may not help society get at the truth of complex issues. society get at the truth of complex issues. -- page 43-- page 43

Should a reporter get both sides of a Should a reporter get both sides of a story? story?

When is this dangerous? When is this dangerous?

If 99% of people believe one thing and 1% If 99% of people believe one thing and 1% believes the other thing, should they get believes the other thing, should they get equal coverage?equal coverage?

Climate ChangeClimate Change

Climate ChangeClimate Change

Climate changeClimate change

Is CNBC being objective?Is CNBC being objective?

Determining balanceDetermining balance

So let’s take something 50/50… a war. So let’s take something 50/50… a war. Should coverage be equal to each side?Should coverage be equal to each side?

What if many more people are dying on What if many more people are dying on one side than the other?one side than the other?

What if one side is pro-American and the What if one side is pro-American and the other side is anti-American?other side is anti-American?

SyriaSyria

““We don’t hear enough about who the We don’t hear enough about who the people are who are really being affected," people are who are really being affected," Sanjay Gupta said when asked to assess Sanjay Gupta said when asked to assess news coverage about Syria. "We hear the news coverage about Syria. "We hear the numbers — 100,000 dead, 1,400 people numbers — 100,000 dead, 1,400 people were gassed — and we hear those as big were gassed — and we hear those as big headlines, but when you meet some of headlines, but when you meet some of these people, I think that really brings it these people, I think that really brings it home.” home.”

SyriaSyria

What is a journalists role?What is a journalists role?

What kind of stories should be covered?What kind of stories should be covered?

Is it the responsibility of journalists to Is it the responsibility of journalists to evoke empathy for those dying in a war? evoke empathy for those dying in a war? Is that biased?Is that biased?

This Week with George This Week with George StephanopoulosStephanopoulos

Each week he lists the U.S. soldiers that Each week he lists the U.S. soldiers that have died in actionhave died in action

Objective? Bias?Objective? Bias?

Cases to DiscussCases to Discuss

Case 1 – page 53Case 1 – page 53

Case 2 – page 55Case 2 – page 55

Student QuestionsStudent Questions

……

Writing PromptsWriting Prompts

Three promptsThree prompts

Answer with complete sentences and Answer with complete sentences and thoughtsthoughts

Each answer deserves at least one quality Each answer deserves at least one quality paragraphparagraph

Three promptsThree prompts

10 minutes each10 minutes each

Writing Prompt #1Writing Prompt #1

Explain why objectivity is Explain why objectivity is goodgood for for journalism.journalism.

AND, explain why objectivity is AND, explain why objectivity is badbad for for journalism.journalism.

Writing Prompt #2Writing Prompt #2

While most European countries expect While most European countries expect opinion and bias from their news, the opinion and bias from their news, the United States is known for it’s unbiased United States is known for it’s unbiased newspapers. Some argue this makes our newspapers. Some argue this makes our news bland and difficult to find the true news bland and difficult to find the true meaning of a story. What is your opinion meaning of a story. What is your opinion on biased/slanted journalism? Does it on biased/slanted journalism? Does it have a place in America? What kind of have a place in America? What kind of journalism should we strive for?journalism should we strive for?

Writing Prompt #3Writing Prompt #3

What is the truth? How can a reporter tell What is the truth? How can a reporter tell it?it?