Order Instructions
Purpose: You will use your understanding of the SPJ code of ethics and proper courses of action for journalists to evaluate situations based on real-world examples of challenging ethical situations for journalists. The goal of this assignment is to develop an understanding of the requirements of the career for prospective journalists and COMM majors as well as enhance your media literacy for those of you who are not.
Task: For this exercise, carefully review the cases below. After doing so, answer with a short description of what you think the ethical course of action is given the question being asked. While there may be more than one answer to these questions depending on your personal perspective and interpretation, your answers must be supported with examples from the lectures and your readings, specifically the SPJ Code of Ethics. You should aim for about one paragraph on each case, but more is acceptable. (Note: You may possibly differ from the “established” code of ethics but you must provide justification and support for why.)
Susan, a student reporter for her college newspaper, reads on social media that the nutrition information on the food in the dorm cafeteria is mislabeled and some foods may be more unhealthy than previously thought. This is a big story for a health-conscious university, and Susan’s deadline is rapidly approaching. There’s no source on the information, just an anonymous Twitter post. Should Susan run the story first with the intent of doing a follow-up next week, or hold off on the story for now?
The bodies of American servicemen and women are on their way home after a particularly violent month of fighting overseas. You, the editor of the local newspaper, are approached by your staff photographer, who was covering the ceremony as they were set to rest in a local cemetery. He has a stunning photograph of a crying child watching her father’s casket being lowered into the ground. Do you run it or not?
You are a reporter for a tech blog, assigned to cover the launch of Samsung’s highly anticipated new Galaxy smart watch. You are contacted by a Samsung PR representative, who offers you a free flight to Hawaii to attend the formal press conference and launch of the device, as well as a free watch you can write about that will guarantee a lot of traffic to the site. Do you accept the free trip and free watch or decline it?
Mitch is a young reporter at the Green Bay Press-Gazette, where he is working alongside his idol, ace reporter Molly Hawkins. Molly takes a liking to Mitch, and offers him the chance to preview one of her stories that will run in the newspaper later in the week and give some feedback. Mitch is honored, until he reads the story and learns that it is about her experiences at last weekend’s Lao Hmong festival. The problem: Molly was on vacation in Chicago last weekend and definitely not at the festival. What should Mitch do?
A scandal has rocked the small town of Point Place, where the local high school football coach has been accused of years of inappropriate sexual contact with students under his supervision. In her investigation of the story, reporter Gillian Thomas finds that the administration knew about this but kept the coach on because the team was consistently winning and is also related to the school superintendent. An informant on the inside passes Gillian a document containing names and addresses for as many as 30 current and former students who brought complaints against the coach. Should Gillian publish the names of these students?
Things aren’t so magic in the Magic Kingdom. Employees at Disney’s new “Galaxy’s Edge” Star Wars attraction have come forward to the New York Times with evidence that Disney is cutting corners on safety in the park’s rides, leading to several injuries the company has tried to keep quiet. The Times verifies the reports and publishes a bombshell front page story, and ABC World News Tonight producer Lynn Watts prepares a lead story based on the Times’ reporting for that night’s newscast. However, her boss pulls her aside and demands she pull the story because Disney is ABC’s parent company and wants to downplay the incident. Should Lynn run the story anyway?
Tragedy has struck in Hollywood as the famous actor Chad Grimsley was found dead in his home of a drug overdose, leaving behind his wife and two small children. Grimsley’s publicist refuses comment on the story to protect the family, but crime reporter Sami Owens obtains a copy of the police report. It turns out the call to paramedics was made by a woman who was not his wife…while his wife was out of town. Should Sami include this potentially lurid detail in her report and speculate as to who this woman was?
It hasn’t been a great day for Ben Packmann of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Ben published a story yesterday using evidence from a 2012 study on general video game violence as part of an investigation as to whether Fortnite was causing aggression in children. However, as many readers – and researchers – emailed him to point out, the study from 2012 was based on inaccurate information and was actually retracted from the journal in which it was published, making the angle of his article inaccurate as well. His editor is furious, and Ben’s reputation is at risk. What should Ben do in order to address and correct this erroneous story and salvage his reputation?
SAMPLE ANSWER
Susan, the student reporter, should hold off on running the story until she can confirm the information with a credible source. According to the SPJ Code of Ethics, journalists should “verify information before releasing it” (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014). Running the story without verification could lead to inaccuracies and harm the reputation of the cafeteria and the university. Susan could also consider reaching out to the cafeteria or university officials for comment on the issue.
The editor should not run the photograph without obtaining the permission of the child’s guardian. The SPJ Code of Ethics states that journalists should “be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes” and “avoid pandering to lurid curiosity” (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014). The photo could potentially identify the child and cause emotional harm to her and her family. The editor should also consider the potential impact on the family’s privacy and emotional well-being before deciding to run the photo.
The reporter for the tech blog should decline the free trip and watch. The SPJ Code of Ethics states that journalists should “refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment” to avoid any potential conflict of interest or appearance of bias (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014). Accepting the free trip and watch could compromise the reporter’s integrity and harm the credibility of the blog.
Mitch should confront Molly about the inaccuracies in her story and discuss the ethical implications of running a false story. The SPJ Code of Ethics states that journalists should “seek truth and report it” and “minimize harm” (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014). Running a false story could harm the reputation of the newspaper and the profession as a whole. Mitch could also consider discussing the issue with his editor or seeking guidance from the newspaper’s ethics policy.
Gillian should not publish the names of the students without their consent. The SPJ Code of Ethics states that journalists should “seek consent before publishing information about individuals” and “minimize harm” (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014). Publishing the names could potentially harm the students and their families and could also harm their future prospects. Gillian should consider the potential impact on the students before deciding to publish their names and should also explore other ways to report on the issue without identifying the students.
Lynn should run the story despite her boss’s demands. The SPJ Code of Ethics states that journalists should “act independently” and “be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable” (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014). Censoring the story could compromise the integrity of the news organization and harm the public’s right to know. Lynn could also consider discussing the issue with her colleagues and seeking support from professional organizations.
Sami should not include the potentially lurid detail in her report. The SPJ Code of Ethics states that journalists should “minimize harm” and “show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage” (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014). Speculating about the woman’s identity could harm her reputation and potentially cause emotional harm to Grimsley’s family. Sami should also consider the impact on the children before deciding what to include in her report.
Ben should issue a correction and apology to his readers for the inaccuracies in his story. The SPJ Code of Ethics states that journalists should “admit mistakes and correct them promptly” and “seek to correct errors” (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014). Failing to correct the error could harm Ben’s reputation and the reputation of the newspaper. Ben should also take steps to ensure that the error does not happen again in the future.
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