JOU 3117: Journalists Behaving Badly & Ledes Assoc. Professor & SFNS News Director Dan Evans email: daevans@fiu.edu 213.321.3661 (m) | @EditorDanEvans

What we’re covering Review of SPJ Code of Ethics > The four pillars of journalism Ethics Workshop > Checking out what happens when ya try and cheat Fantastic Ledes and Where to Find Them > How DOES this thing work anyhow? In-class practice > Putting it all together. All fun all the time, no?

SPJ Code of Ethics The gold standard of journalism ethics

The Four Principles Seek Truth and Report It Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Minimize Harm Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

The Four Principles Act Independently The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public. Be Accountable and Transparent Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

Ethics Workshop Break into three groups

The Terrible Trio Jayson Blair - New York Times Stephen Glass - The New Republic Benny Johnson - BuzzFeed

Step 1 - Research Take 10 minutes to research your person What did they do? What happened to them? What are they doing now? What was the impact on their organization? On journalism as a whole?

Step 2 - Group Discussion Discuss in your group your findings Do you feel they were treated too harshly? Not harshly enough? How did their organizations allow these issues to happen? What did they do to make sure it won’t happen again? Do you think it’ll work?

Step 3 - Class Discussion Each group will choose someone to present a three-five minute summary of their findings and opinions. Rest of class — including those who dissented with their group’s majority feelings — can then weigh in.

The Lede First for a reason…

The Basics A straight news lede is a single sentence. It is 35 words or fewer. It is sourced BUT does not use names Information is presented in order of importance, not chronologically

Definition Alert!! Source: A witness or expert who told you (the reporter) either facts or an opinion related to the news you are reporting. That is, NOT YOU!!

Sample Fact Sheet Source: Deputy Bo Lolly of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Information released today Story is for the Miami Herald

Carl Hancock, 19, was arrested after a chase by deputy sheriff’s last night in Hollywood. Deputy Bo Lolly told you he saw Hancock and another man on separate motorcycles on Airport Road. Both were nude. He said when they saw his car, the two went in different directions. Lolly caught Hancock three miles away. Hancock told Lolly that he and his friend had a bet to see how long they could ride nude without getting caught. He was wearing only boots and a belt. Hancock was booked on suspicion of lewdness and driving without a license. He refused to ID his pal. (Source: Broward County Sheriff’s Department)

The Lede: What’s Important

The Questions… Who When What How Why should I care?

Print Writing Tips Print writing is done almost solely in the past tense. When trying to determine what’s the most important, think about what you would tell your best friend. In our class, that’s the only tense you’ll be using. Unless it’s someone famous (or locally well known), names are generally not important for the lede. AP Style is our Bible. Biggest issues for young journalists: numbers and titles. Learn them. Love them. Avoid the verb to be

Carl Hancock, 19, was arrested after a chase by deputy sheriff’s last night in Hollywood. Deputy Bo Lolly told you he saw Hancock and another man on separate motorcycles on Airport Road. Both were nude. He said when they saw his car, the two went in different directions. Lolly caught Hancock three miles away. Hancock told Lolly that he and his friend had a bet to see how long they could ride nude without getting caught. He was wearing only boots and a belt. Hancock was booked on suspicion of lewdness and driving without a license. He refused to ID his pal. (Source: Broward County Sheriff’s Department)

What’s the most important? Names? Action? Arrest? Outcome?

Action!

A deputy said he gave chase to a pair of nude men riding motorcycles Monday night, arresting one near Airport Road.

Your Turn! Write a lede of 35 words or fewer from the handout

NewsU Module Complete as much of the “Plagiarism and Fabrication” module as you can before the end of class time. Whoo! We’re done!

Homework Reading: Miami Herald and New York Times (daily). News Quizzz Next Class!! Practice: Complete Lede Homework. Put the completed work in the Google Folder with your name by the start of next class! Add your name to the document so it reads like this: Dan Evans - Lede Assignment

Assoc. Professor & SFNS News Director Dan Evans email: daevans@fiu.edu 213.321.3661 (m) | @EditorDanEvans