Chapter 2 Ethics in Journalism

The Functions of a Journalist Political– watch over government to see that corruption is not happening Political– watch over government to see that corruption is not happening Economic– presenting goods and services to the public Economic– presenting goods and services to the public Sentry– what will change us tomorrow? Sentry– what will change us tomorrow? Entertainment – some light element, feature photo, comic Entertainment – some light element, feature photo, comic Marketplace – forum for ideas Marketplace – forum for ideas

Functions (cont.) Record-Keeping – mainly for history; cover elections Record-Keeping – mainly for history; cover elections Social – passing along for people to talk to one another Social – passing along for people to talk to one another Agenda Setting – telling what to think Agenda Setting – telling what to think Conserving water during a drought Conserving water during a drought

Evaluating the Media Newspapers – should cover events happening Newspapers – should cover events happening Should not be self-seeking advertisements Should not be self-seeking advertisements Local vs. National Local vs. National Radio Radio Up to the minute coverage of yesterday’s news Up to the minute coverage of yesterday’s news Television Television News now News now Magazines Magazines Only Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report really have any true news function in today’s society Only Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report really have any true news function in today’s society

Ethics of Journalism Janet Cooke – gave back Pulitzer Janet Cooke – gave back Pulitzer Jayson Blair – made up quotes for NY Times Jayson Blair – made up quotes for NY Times Stephen Glass – made up entire articles Stephen Glass – made up entire articles Credibility Credibility Believed and Trusted Believed and Trusted No license required to be a journalist No license required to be a journalist

Ethics (cont.) Accuracy Accuracy Close doesn’t count Close doesn’t count Always double check those sources Always double check those sources No such thing as a small error No such thing as a small error Addresses Addresses Names Names

Ethics (cont.) Objectivity Objectivity Have to report stories fairly Have to report stories fairly May not like the KKK but you still must be objective May not like the KKK but you still must be objective Ditch the adjectives Ditch the adjectives A few more things to examine (page 38) A few more things to examine (page 38) Good taste – don’t go for trashy stories Good taste – don’t go for trashy stories Right of reply – simultaneous rebuttal Right of reply – simultaneous rebuttal Fairness to all Fairness to all Plagiarism Plagiarism Attribution – always use ‘said’ Attribution – always use ‘said’ The Truth The Truth

Libel Law Libel – lies that are written Libel – lies that are written Slander – lies that are spoken Slander – lies that are spoken Student press not exempt from libel law Student press not exempt from libel law Not a crime – this is a civil wrong Not a crime – this is a civil wrong Penalty is money judgment generally Penalty is money judgment generally How to defend against libel How to defend against libel Good reporting will always shine through Good reporting will always shine through Truth – if proof is there then you will be fine Truth – if proof is there then you will be fine

Libel Law (cont.) Do not bring up old problems if the person has changed Do not bring up old problems if the person has changed Example of the man who went to jail 30 years ago Example of the man who went to jail 30 years ago Attribution is no defense – you can get into trouble for printing Attribution is no defense – you can get into trouble for printing

Libel Law (cont.) Privilege Privilege You can report what happens in a legislative session or judicial session so long as what you say is accurate and fair You can report what happens in a legislative session or judicial session so long as what you say is accurate and fair What happens in a courtroom is fair to print What happens in a courtroom is fair to print Example in book – track coach stealing Example in book – track coach stealing Fair comment Fair comment Book reviews, movie reviews, etc. are just fine because the creator has thrust himself into the spotlight Book reviews, movie reviews, etc. are just fine because the creator has thrust himself into the spotlight

Libel Law (cont.) Admission of Error – If you are wrong, print a retraction Admission of Error – If you are wrong, print a retraction Public officials and public figures Public officials and public figures Anyone in an elected role must not only show the damage (which anyone must do) but they must also show malice (reckless disregard for the truth) Anyone in an elected role must not only show the damage (which anyone must do) but they must also show malice (reckless disregard for the truth) Very difficult for public figures to win a libel case because of malice Very difficult for public figures to win a libel case because of malice Lines become fuzzy – principals are most likely public figures Lines become fuzzy – principals are most likely public figures To be sure you would want to check with a lawyer To be sure you would want to check with a lawyer

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) Students wanted to wear armbands to school – school said NO Students wanted to wear armbands to school – school said NO Court decided that students were right to express themselves as they wish Court decided that students were right to express themselves as they wish CASE STUDY TIME!

Hazelwood (1987) “no valid educational purpose” “no valid educational purpose” Paper is school sponsored activity Paper is school sponsored activity Said that the principal is the chief editor Said that the principal is the chief editor However, the principal works for the government which means the government controls the paper – clear violation of the first amendment However, the principal works for the government which means the government controls the paper – clear violation of the first amendment What do you think? What do you think? Forums – places where individuals can exchange ideas – if a paper is a forum it most likely will not fall under Hazelwood Forums – places where individuals can exchange ideas – if a paper is a forum it most likely will not fall under Hazelwood CASE STUDY TIME!

Proving a Libel Suit 1) Libel was published 2) Words were of and concerning plaintiff 3) Material was defamatory 4) Material was false 5) Defendant was at fault *Remember – public figures must also prove that actual malice took place