Chapter 2Chapter 2

Ethics in JournalismEthics in Journalism

The Functions of a JournalistThe Functions of a Journalist

Political– watch over government to Political– watch over government to see that corruption is not happeningsee that corruption is not happening

Economic– presenting goods and Economic– presenting goods and services to the publicservices to the public

Sentry– what will change us tomorrow?Sentry– what will change us tomorrow? Entertainment – some light element, Entertainment – some light element,

feature photo, comicfeature photo, comic Marketplace – forum for ideasMarketplace – forum for ideas

Functions (cont.)Functions (cont.)

Record-Keeping – mainly for history; Record-Keeping – mainly for history; cover electionscover elections

Social – passing along for people to Social – passing along for people to talk to one anothertalk to one another

Agenda Setting – telling what to thinkAgenda Setting – telling what to think Conserving water during a droughtConserving water during a drought

Evaluating the MediaEvaluating the Media Newspapers – should cover events Newspapers – should cover events

happeninghappening Should not be self-seeking advertisementsShould not be self-seeking advertisements Local vs. NationalLocal vs. National

RadioRadio Up to the minute coverage of yesterday’s newsUp to the minute coverage of yesterday’s news

TelevisionTelevision News nowNews now

MagazinesMagazines Only Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Only Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World

Report really have any true news function in Report really have any true news function in today’s societytoday’s society

Ethics of JournalismEthics of Journalism

Janet Cooke – gave back PulitzerJanet Cooke – gave back Pulitzer Jayson Blair – made up quotes for NY Jayson Blair – made up quotes for NY

TimesTimes Stephen Glass – made up entire Stephen Glass – made up entire

articlesarticles CredibilityCredibility

Believed and TrustedBelieved and Trusted No license required to be a journalistNo license required to be a journalist

Ethics (cont.)Ethics (cont.)

AccuracyAccuracy Close doesn’t countClose doesn’t count Always double check those sourcesAlways double check those sources No such thing as a small errorNo such thing as a small error

AddressesAddresses NamesNames

Ethics (cont.)Ethics (cont.) ObjectivityObjectivity

Have to report stories fairlyHave to report stories fairly May not like the KKK but you still must May not like the KKK but you still must

be objectivebe objective Ditch the adjectivesDitch 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 storiesGood taste – don’t go for trashy stories Right of reply – simultaneous rebuttalRight of reply – simultaneous rebuttal Fairness to allFairness to all PlagiarismPlagiarism Attribution – always use ‘said’Attribution – always use ‘said’ The TruthThe Truth

Libel LawLibel Law

Libel – lies that are writtenLibel – lies that are written Slander – lies that are spokenSlander – lies that are spoken Student press not exempt from libel lawStudent press not exempt from libel law Not a crime – this is a civil wrongNot a crime – this is a civil wrong Penalty is money judgment generallyPenalty is money judgment generally How to defend against libelHow to defend against libel

Good reporting will always shine throughGood reporting will always shine through Truth – if proof is there then you will be fineTruth – if proof is there then you will be fine

Libel Law (cont.)Libel Law (cont.)

Do not bring up old problems if the Do not bring up old problems if the person has changedperson has changed Example of the man who went to jail 30 Example of the man who went to jail 30

years agoyears ago Attribution is no defense – you can get Attribution is no defense – you can get

into trouble for printinginto trouble for printing

Libel Law (cont.)Libel Law (cont.)

PrivilegePrivilege You can report what happens in a You can report what happens in a

legislative session or judicial session so legislative session or judicial session so long as what you say is accurate and fairlong as what you say is accurate and fair

What happens in a courtroom is fair to What happens in a courtroom is fair to printprint

Example in book – track coach stealingExample in book – track coach stealing Fair commentFair comment

Book reviews, movie reviews, etc. are Book reviews, movie reviews, etc. are just fine because the creator has thrust just fine because the creator has thrust himself into the spotlighthimself into the spotlight

Libel Law (cont.)Libel Law (cont.)

Admission of Error – If you are wrong, print Admission of Error – If you are wrong, print a retractiona retraction

Public officials and public figuresPublic officials and public figures Anyone in an elected role must not only show Anyone in an elected role must not only show

the damage (which anyone must do) but they the damage (which anyone must do) but they must also show malice (reckless disregard for must also show malice (reckless disregard for the truth)the truth)

Very difficult for public figures to win a libel Very difficult for public figures to win a libel case because of malicecase because of malice

Lines become fuzzy – principals are most likely Lines become fuzzy – principals are most likely public figurespublic figures

To be sure you would want to check with a lawyerTo be sure you would want to check with a lawyer

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students wanted to wear armbands Students wanted to wear armbands to school – school said NOto school – school said NO

Court decided that students were Court decided that students were right to express themselves as they right to express themselves as they wishwish

CASE STUDY TIME!CASE STUDY TIME!

Hazelwood (1987)Hazelwood (1987) ““no valid educational purpose”no valid educational purpose” Paper is school sponsored activityPaper is school sponsored activity Said that the principal is the chief editorSaid that the principal is the chief editor However, the principal works for the government However, the principal works for the government

which means the government controls the paper which means the government controls the paper – clear violation of the first amendment– clear violation of the first amendment

What do you think?What do you think? Forums – places where individuals can exchange Forums – places where individuals can exchange

ideas – if a paper is a forum it most likely will not ideas – if a paper is a forum it most likely will not fall under Hazelwoodfall under Hazelwood

CASE STUDY TIME!CASE STUDY TIME!

Proving a Libel SuitProving a Libel Suit

1)1) Libel was publishedLibel was published2)2) Words were of and concerning Words were of and concerning

plaintiffplaintiff3)3) Material was defamatoryMaterial was defamatory4)4) Material was falseMaterial was false5)5) Defendant was at faultDefendant was at fault

*Remember – public figures must also *Remember – public figures must also prove that actual malice took placeprove that actual malice took place