Case Study

Splitting into small groups for the case study was a refreshing twist to the standard predictable presentations. I’m not sure if the group came up with the idea or if Professor Campbell assigned the idea to the group. Many of the cases were ethical dilemmas because there were multiple right answers to the issues. Our group was given the case study of the serial killer Ted Bundy. Bundy would slash the tires of women’s’ cars in supermarket parking lots. He then would approach the women offering to help, but would abduct them instead.

We had to make the decision of whether or not to inform the public of these actions. Informing the public could cause the killer to change his approach, but if the public wasn’t informed more women could fall victimized. We decided that if we were to inform the public of his tactics he would probably change his approach. As a result, we decided to inform the public of his description, but not give his whole approach. We suspected that the police would have an easier time catching him if they knew his plan, and as a result save more women from being murdered. Our group agreed we had to choose between two bad decisions in order to ultimately catch the criminal. But when people’s lives are in danger such as in this case, it may take deep analyzing to find the best solution.

http://www.biography.com/people/ted-bundy-9231165

http://www.celebritymorgue.com/ted-bundy/

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/bundy/index_1.html

Ethics in Journalism

Ethics in journalism is the foundation of good practice. The Society of Professional Journalists says, “Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.” Gathering and interpreting the news both pose significant opportunities for journalists to be unethical. The presenting group reminded the class that journalists should remember that their colleagues, sources and subjects of their reporting are human beings and have feelings, thoughts and opinions like everyone else, which should be respected.

Last week I did a story on the missionary tragedy where two missionaries were killed in a hit and run. I was assigned by my news director to go interview the friends and family of one of the missionaries. For the first time I had total hands on experience with dealing with those affected by such a heart wrenching tragedy. From that experience I learned how important it is to show kindness towards those affected adversely by news coverage.

Ethics in journalism encompass; clarification and explanation of news coverage, encouragement of the public voice against the media, admitting mistakes and correcting them. It also encompasses acting independently. It is important to be current on all that is going on, without going so far as to be involved.  Ethics in journalism really just represent the characteristics of being an honest, considerate and good person. There is no rocket science to being ethical, it’s mostly just common science.

http://www.poynter.org/uncategorized/2128/the-ethics-of-civic-journalism-independence-as-the-guide/

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

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

Political Forum at the U

I went to the political forum at the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah in Salt Lake on October 28^th. The forum was titled, “Political Reporting and the Fourth Estate: Who Watched Government?” It was an enlightening forum. The panelists were; Susan Tolchin, a professor in the School of Public Policy at George Mason, John Daley, a reporter for the Deseret News, and Matt Canham, a reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune Washington Correspondent.

The panelists explained how journalists really are the fourth estate of the government. The watchdog state. Often politicians don’t do a certain thing because they know the media will be all over it, and it could harm their reputation. If the media wasn’t there as a constant watchdog, there would be much more corruption in politics because there would be less accountability.

Right now there is more money flowing through politics than ever before, and there are fewer watchdogs on Capitol Hill. This is where citizen journalism comes into play. It is necessary to have the eyes of the citizens on Capitol Hill as well, to watch for things professional reporters may miss.

One point Susan Tolchin made that I especially took note of was as a political reporter, it is important to always read the opposite side so your opinion. This will help your opinion to be more educated, and more broad. It is important to look into the deep things the government is doing because journalists have lots and lots of power to frame politicains and it is paramount to be as accurate as possible with such framing. 

Journalism As Ideologue

I plan to go into political journalism which especially attracts bias. As a political reporter it is especially important that I am transparent, and set all of my own thoughts and feelings about the issue aside. Some points made in the presentation included a need for more independent or at least independent seeming journalists. Journalists with a clear understanding of the political issues are also needed, because good stories are created by information, which informs and motivates.

The key is to totally separate yourself from your views and values once you begin reporting in the field. One quote I especially like from the presentation says, “In its purest usage objectivity means to be so utterly disinterested as to be transparent.” On the same token, it is important to also be able to write for a specific side. For instance, when a story is complex, a good story demolishes counterarguments, but it must be aware of them.

One point made, which stuck with me from the presentation grew from the question, “Is a journalist’s job just to view and watch?” I would say no. Journalists inform the public, and how information is presented to them, is often how society will see it as a whole. Journalists must use good judgment in language, we decide what quotations to use, and what emotions we want to put in the story. With that we must tell the story but not make judgment on what people say or what events are right or wrong.

http://jou.sagepub.com/content/6/4/442.short

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/07/the-ideology-of-journalists-a-response-to-jay-rosen/60130/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E41AQz3zwYI

Independance

As a broadcast journalism major, I need to set my mental conditioning now to be an independent journalist. My fear is I will get attached to some of the stories I cover. I need to show compassion during interviews, but keep myself separate from the stories. Independence in journalism encompasses emotional and physical independence from stories covered.

Independence is the essence of journalist’s reputation because journalists are not supported by the state. Thus, trust is built and confidence from viewer grows. An online source, The Journalists Handbook, says, “Independence is the essence of our reputation as a “stateless” global news organization and fundamental to the trust that allows us to report impartially from all sides of a conflict or dispute.” I like this because I feel it is crucial to be able to report on companies, government officials, and anything else, without concern for anything but accuracy.

It is important to be able to report the truth without looking over your shoulders. One professional reporter added, “even if it is likely to antagonize certain interests, including your editors.”  It is a journalists duty to avoid conflicts of interest or situations that could give the impression of a conflict. Broadcast especially calls for independence, because not only your name, but your face, is seen with the story.

http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php/Independence

http://www.stanhopecentre.org/training/EA/oluoch_seminar.pdf

http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/article/101681/Retaining-Independence-Isnt-Easy-for-Journalists.aspx