Media Ethics

Ethics

● What are ethics? o Moral principles that govern a

person's or group's behavior o The branch of knowledge that

deals with moral principles

● Ethical dilemmas have always existed, but the internet and social media are presenting new challenges.

When confronted by a dilemma

Ask yourself - ● It may be legal, but is it ethical? ● What’s the harm vs. what’s the

benefit? ● Is omitting the truth the same

thing as lying?

Helpline for Journalists - ● ethicsadvicelineforjournalists.org ● spj.org/ethicshotline.asp

Deception Sometimes deception is used in investigative journalism. BUT: ● Consider as a last resort ● Can you get the story through

standard interview methods/public records?

● Consider a FOIA request ● Is the info of such overriding

public importance that it can help people avoid harm?

Plagiarism ● Cardinal sin in journalism ● Now more of a problem

than ever with copy/paste from the internet

● U.S. Copyright laws don’t protect ideas - it’s OK to localize national story or take idea from another newspaper - the key is original content and reporting

Fabrication • Jayson Blair, the NY Times, plagiarized

and fabricated facts in at least 36 articles, something that led to his firing and to the resignation of an editor and manager at the newspaper. Smith resigned from the Boston Globe in 1998 after she admitted fabricating people and quotes for columns.

• Patricia Smith, who was a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize, admitted to making up most or all of four different columns.

Conflicts of interest These occur whenever reporters face competing loyalties. If you cover student council and your best friend is president of student council, you may feel inclined to be less skeptical of the council’s decisions because of your friendship. Your loyalty to your friend and to your readers is in conflict.

Privacy issues ● How private can a public figure

expect his/her life to be? ● When it does it serve public

interest to publish private information? o Crime suspects names

withheld until formally charged

o Names of rape victims due to trama and stigma

o Should the accused be named and not the accuser?

Harming reputations • Thorough news reporting at times

brings discomfort to those in power and those who are the subjects of stories.

• However, just because someone's life or reputation will be affected doesn’t mean you should look the other way when an injustice is occurring.

• Be absolutely sure about your facts before submitting them to your editor.

Anonymous sources

You should always be as honest with readers as possible. Anonymous sources wrap key information about your story in a cloud of uncertainty. They should be used only in extreme circumstances (ex: the source’s life may be in danger). Make sure to check with your editor before granting anonymity.

Accountability to readers Journalists hold others to high standards. They, too, must live by these high standards. Their first obligation should be to the truth. They should listen to readers who have complaints about coverage and correct errors promptly.

Be Fair ● Stick to the facts ● Question authorities ● Don’t assume ● Pay attention to

alternative explanations

Photo subjects ● At what point are we

invading privacy? o Public’s need to see

vs. want to see

“We do our jobs

when we give

readers all the

news – no matter

how painful or

ugly….Personal

feelings cannot

dissuade us from

our mission to

provide the facts

upon which an

informed citizenry

can make

decisions.”

~Inquirer managing

editor Anne Gordon

Video news releases

● “Fake TV news” ● Run as segments,

indistinguishable from the regular news

● Highly controversial - usually backed by government or corporation - not objective, not news

Ethical reasoning Journalists use several methods to justify their decisions. In most ethical dilemmas, editors and reporters discuss the issue and the consequences of publication before making the decision. They consider how newsworthy the story is and whether the public really needs this information.

Ethical reasoning 1. Define the dilemma. Consider all the problems the

story or photograph will pose 2. Examine all your alternatives. For example, you

can publish, not publish, wait for more information, display the story or photo prominently or in a lesser position or choose other options

3. Justify your decision. Weigh the harms and the benefits of publication, or weigh such factors as relevance and importance of the story to the public

Poynter Institute Model 1. Why am I concerned about this story, photo or graphic? 2. What is the news? What good would publication do? 3. Is the information complete and accurate, to the best of my knowledge? 4. Am I missing an important point of view 5. What does my reader need to know? 6. How would I feel if the story or photo were about me or a member of my family? 7. What are the likely consequences of publication? What good or harm could result? 8. What are my alternatives? 9. Will I be able to clearly and honestly explain my decision to anyone who

challenges it?

Discuss: Ethical dilemmas ● Freebies at an event you’re covering ● Photos from a car accident with a

fatality ● A source accusing a suspect of a

crime asks to go by a fake fame ● The media company you work for

closes 12 local outlets; your publisher decides not to run any press on the issue

Codes of Ethics The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by additional explanations and position papers (at spj.org) that address changing journalistic practices. It is not a set of rules, rather a guide that encourages all who engage in journalism to take responsibility for the information they provide, regardless of medium. The code should be read as a whole; individual principles should not be taken out of context. It is not, nor can it be under the First Amendment, legally enforceable.

http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

Codes of Ethics

● New York Times: http://www.nytco.com/who-we-are/culture/standards-and-ethics/

● Washington Post: http://asne.org/content.asp?pl=236&sl=19&contentid=335