JOUR E-120/W Ethics and Journalism

September 15, 2008

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?

But do they trust us?

The Press As Liberals

So Why Are We Here?Good ethics is good journalism – BUT 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 1)to seek the truth and report it thoroughly,2) develop context

for the reader and 3)report it objectively BUT

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

The current media “is not set up to create good journalism: it is set up to generate maximum profits for news media companies… “ Robert McChesney (or generate traffic so blogs can make more money from advertising?

It is small wonder that there have so many transgressions against the truth “in a 24-hour multimedia news world of rampant downsizing that pushes reporters to dig up scoops and attention-getting stories, write it all like the great American novel and do it faster than seems humanly possible.”-

American Journalism Review

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

Is it legal? Is it ethical?

How this Class Works

• Your Teaching Assistants Jeanne Harnois Elizabeth Soutter Franklin Schwarzer

Your Section Blogs

Your Assignment DUE Sept. 18

• Interview a classmate about coverage of the “Palin Pregnancy”

Was it a story? Why? What did the press do well? Or not? What impact did the blogosphere play?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?

If You Are A Distance Student

• Write the assignment about yourself and your opinions.

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

Questions? Concerns?

Email Angelia Herrin at journalist.herrin@gmail.com