Chapter 2: Truthtelling

Case 6: Al JazeeraCase 7: Reporting on EnronCase 8: The Unabomber’s ManifestoCase 9: Fabrication at The GlobeCase 10: An Enemy of the People

Chapter Overview Questions

• What is truth? • Does someone engaging in violent attacks

against a perceived “evil” technology deserve a hearing?

• Can deception in journalism ever really be justified?

• What is the press’ role as a social institution?

• Explain what is meant by the saying “Journalism is ‘history in a hurry’”

Case 6: “Al Jazeera”

• Facts – Empirical Definition

•Values

• Principles

• Loyalties

Cheney and Bush voiced opinions against Al Jazeera’s media coverage. Other images include interview footage with Bin Laden and the setting inside the studio.

• How far can “freedom of speech” be taken for journalists?

• Is Al Jazeera a neutral news source, or does it slant its broadcast against the West?

• Should sensitivity be taken into account in journalism (ie uncut war footage, gore, etc)?

Case 6: Additional links

The Only Show in Town – Article containing interview with Al Jazeera director Mohamed Jasem al Ali.

Al Jazeera's Edge – New York Metro Article discussing media power of Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera Online – Al Jazeera’s English site with up to date Iraq coverage and database.

Case 7: “Reporting on Enron”

• Facts – Empirical Definition

•Values

• Principles

• Loyalties

To the left are the banners of a few of the many magazines and companies fooled by Enron executives.

• Why did so many “security” companies look the other way when reviewing Enron (ie auditors, securities analysts)?

• How could so many people be fooled into seeing Enron as a booming enterprise?

• Was justice done with Enron when the truth came out even though thousands lost their jobs?

Case 7: Additional links

Enron: Uncovering the Uncovered Story – Scott Sherman’s article on the Enron Scandal.

Enron Analysts: We Was Duped – Forbe’s article discussing Enron with some of the companies that analyzed them pre-downfall.

Bad Apple or Rotten Culture? – Paper presented at AEJMC Conference discussing Corporate Scandals of 2001 and 2002.

Case 8: “The Unabomber’s Manifesto”

• Facts – Empirical Definition

•Values

• Principles

• Loyalties

To the left are pictures of the Unabomber himself after his capture and arrest.

• Was the publishing of the Manifesto a dangerous erosion between the media and government?

• Should publications ever concede to the demands of a terrorist despite capture?

• Why would such a brilliant scholar turn so suddenly and so violently?

Case 8: Additional links

The Unabomber's Manifesto – Original Manifesto content presented in sections.

In Depth Overview of the Unabomber Case – Biography, events leading up to Manifesto and court case information via Court TV.

Interview with Ted Kaczynski – Text version of an interview with the Unabomber (1999).

Case 9: “Fabrication at The Globe”

• Facts – Empirical Definition

•Values

• Principles

• Loyalties

To the left are pictures and articles regarding former Globe employees Barnicle and Smith.

• Should writers who “borrow” others ideas or make fabrications be permitted to keep their jobs?

• How should writers who break the “Rules of the Road” be treated?

• If you were an editor that has discovered one of your long time writers has been errant, would you choose the writer over the ethics of the paper?

Case 9: Additional linksPatricia Smith Resigns – CNN article on the

resignation and “crimes” of Patricia Smith.

Why He Should have been Fired - And Why He Wasn't – Article from The Boston Phoenix regarding “crimes” of Mike Barnicle and why he originally elluded being fired.

Globe seeks Barnicle’s Resignation – CNN article sheds light on Barnicle’s refusal to resign and The Globes further action

Case 10: “An Enemy of the People”

• Facts – Empirical Definition

• Values

• Principles

• Loyalties

A painting of Henrik Ibsen to the left along with pictures of modernized versions of his play.

•Is truth really useless without power?

• What happens to people when that truth is painful?

• Is “An Enemy…” an accurate depiction of society when faced with a “hard” truth?

Case 10: Additional links

Text File Version of "An Enemy..." – viewable version of Ibsen’s play.

Social Significance of "An Enemy..." – Emma Goldman’s 1914 article discussing social significance of Ibsen’s play.