1. Being a Professional Journalist
7 Deadly Sins
Being a Professional Journalist

2. Deception What is it? When is it ok? EXAMPLE: Nellie Bly 1800s
Lying or misinterpreting yourself to obtain information
When is it ok?
Usually never. Some exceptions may be ok, such as when you are investigating a con artist or social injustice
EXAMPLE: Nellie Bly 1800s
Posed as a chorus girl, working in a sweatshop, getting imprisoned and being commited to a mental hospital
Deception

3. Conflict of Interest What is it? When is it ok?
Accepting gifts or favors from sources or promoting social and political causes
Free meals, movie tickets, stock tips, a nice job as “media adviser” if you help me out
When is it ok?
NEVER
EXAMPLE: Armstrong Williams 2005
Accepted $240,000 from the Bush administration to promote “No Child Left Behind”
Conflict of Interest

4. Bias What is it? When is it ok? EXAMPLE: CBS News 2004
Slanting a story by manipulating facts to sway readers’ opinions
When is it ok?
NEVER
EXAMPLE: CBS News 2004
Used questionable documents to dispute George W. Bush’s military record. They were accused of “liberal bias” out to “get” Bush
Bias

5. Fabrication What is it? EXAMPLE: Janet Cooke, 1981, Washington Post
Manufacturing quotes or imaginary source, or writing anything you know to be untrue
EXAMPLE: Janet Cooke, 1981, Washington Post
Forced to return Pulitzer prize for a story about “Jimmy” an 8-year-old heroin addict. The boy was fake, made up of several children’s issues
Fabrication

6. Theft What is it? EXAMPLE: 1998 Cincinnati Enquirer
Obtaining information unlawfully or without a source’s permission
EXAMPLE: 1998 Cincinnati Enquirer
Published 18-page report exposing Chiquita Bananas of corrupt business practices
Reporter stole 2,000 voice mails
Paper had to pay $14 million
Theft

7. Burning a Source What is it?
Deceiving or betraying the confidence of those who provide information for a story
EXAMPLE: 1982 Minnesota Gubernatorial race
Consultant leaked damaging documents was promised anonymity, but name was printed anyway and the consultant was fired.
Burning a Source

8. What is it?
Passing off someone else’s words or ideas as your own
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
Ask what you can do for America. Don’t ask what America can do for you.
Don’t ask what your country can do for you, Kennedy said; instead “as what you can do for your country
Plagiarism