journalism laws and ethics.ppsx

8/12/2019 JOURNALISM LAWS AND ETHICS.ppsx

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lcome to the world of

urnalism, where

porters have been

gging dirt, raking muck,

king headlines and

adlines for centuriesw. Its a history full of

bloid trash, of slimy

nsationalists, of

runkards, deadbeats and

mmers (as a Harvard

iversity president once

scribed reporters).

But its a history full of

roes, too: men and

men risking their lives

tell stories of war and

agedy, risking

prisonment to defendee speech. And as you

n see here, reports have

come beloved characters

p culture, too, turning up

movies, comics and TV

ows as if guided by an

cult hand.

Every culture seeks

effective ways to spread

new information and gossip.

In ancient times, news was

written on clay tablets. In

Caesars age, Romans readnewsletters compiled by

correspondents and

handwritten by slaves.

Wandering minstrels spread

news (and the plague) in the

Middle Ages. Them came

ink on paper. Voices on

airwaves. Newsreels, Web

sites, And 24-hour cable

news networks.

Thus when scholars

analyze the rich history of

journalism, some view it interms of technological

progressfor example, the

dramatic impact of bigger,

faster printing presses.

Others see journalism as

a specialized form literary

expression, one thats

constantly evolving,

reflecting and shaping its

culture.

Others see it as an

inspiring quest for free

speech, an endless powerstruggle between Authority

(trying to control

information) and the People

(trying to learn the truth).

Which brings to mind the

words of A.J. Liefling:

Freedom of the press is

guaranteed only to htose

who own one.

In the pages ahead, well

take a quick tour of 600

years of journalism history,

from hieroglyphics tohypertext: the media, the

message and the politics.

Technical advances and

brilliant ideas forged a new

style of journalism. It was a

century of change, and

newspapers changed

dramatically. The typi

newspaper of 1800 wa

undisciplined mishma

legislative proceeding

long-winded essays a

secondhand gossip. B1900, a new breed of

tor had emerged. Jour

had become big busin

Reporting was becom

disciplined craft. And

newspapers were bec

more entertaining and

essential than ever, w

most of the features w

expect today: Snappy

headlines, Ads, Comic

Sports pages. And an

inverted pyramid stywriting that made stori

tighter and newsier.

Radio and television

brought an end to

newspapers media

monopoly. Why? Well

yourself: Which did yo

Law and ethics


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Press rights

Privileges andprotections for

journalisticactivities.

Access togovernmentoperations andrecords.

Rights fall into twomain categories:


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Press rights

Fair reportprivilege

Allows journaliststo report anythingsaid in official

governmentproceedings.

Must be accurateand fair.

Privilege and protection forsources and stories

Opinion privilege

Protects writtenopinions from libelsuits.

Distinctionbetween facts andopinion.


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Press rights

Allows journaliststo criticizeperformers,politicians and

other matters ofpublic interest.

Privilege and protection

Fair commentand criticism

Freedom fromnewsroomsearches

Shield laws


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Press rights

Are bloggers entitled to thesame rights and protectionsas mainstream mediareporters?

A final question


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Press rights

Open courtroomsThe issues

Does mediacoverage harmtrial defendants?

Do cameras turncourtrooms intocircuses?

Should press bebanned fromsome trials?

Journalistic access

The law

U.S. SupremeCourt ruled thatcriminal trialsmust remain opento the media

except foroverridinginterest.


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Press rights

Open recordsThe issues

Should allgovernmentrecords beaccessible to thepublic?

Who decides whatis off-limits?

Journalistic access

The law

1966 Freedom ofInformation Actrequires federalagencies to makemost of their

records available. Every state has

own version ofFOIA.


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Press wrongs

Stories that canget you jailed

Contempt of court

Trespassing

Sedition

Reporters Guide to Trouble

Stories that canget you sued

Libel

Invasion ofprivacy

Breach of contract


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Press wrongs

Stories that canget you fired

Plagiarism

Fabrication

Lapses in ethics

Reporters Guide to Trouble

Stories that canget you angry

phone calls Bias

Bad taste

Blunders &bloopers


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Understanding libel

Who can sue forlibel?

Living people.

Small groups.

Who is it that

gets sued? Usually, thepublication.

Beginning reporters guide to libel

What is libel?

False statements and

Defamatory and

Published and

Identifiable plaintiffsand

Defendant must beat fault throughnegligence or malice.


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Understanding libel

How do I defendmyself?

Truth

Consent

Privilege

Beginning reporters guide to libel

How can I avoidlibel?

Verify material.

Allow people todefend themselves.

Remember, public

officials often makeunofficial claims.

If you make mistake,correct it.


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Understanding libel

Iowa supreme

court Anyperformance towhich the public isinvited may be

freely criticized.

The Cherry Sisters vs. FairComment and Criticism

Also, any editor

may publishreasonablecomments on thatperformance.


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Understanding libel

Actual maliceknowing you arelying or disregardingthe truth

Opinionideasthat dont claim to

be factual Slander

defamation that isspoken

A lexicon of libel

Public official

someone whoexercises power orinfluence ingovernmental affairs

Public figureperson who hasacquired fame ornotoriety


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Invasion of privacy

Intrusion Trespass

Secretsurveillance

Misrepresentation

Most common ways to invadesomeones privacy

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Public disclosureof private facts

Private

Intimate

Offensive


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Invasion of privacy

False light Anything that

portrays someonein an inaccurate

way

Most common ways to invadesomeones privacy

4

Appropriation Unauthorized use

of someonesname, photo or

words to endorseor sell a productor service.


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Taste and decencyand censorship

Vulgar language Offensive topics

Conflict ofinterest

Reasons your storymight get spiked

5

Legal/ethicalissues

Reporting flaws


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Public colleges Student editors

are entitled tocontrol the

content.

Student press law: How much cana school administrator censor?

Public highschools

Some guidelines,but lots of gray

area.


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Student press law: How much cana school administrator censor?

Private colleges andhigh schools

Administrator can act likeany other publisher in

controlling whatsprinted.


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The seven deadly sins

Ethical pitfalls

Deception

Lying ormisrepresentingyourself to obtaininformation.

Conflict of interest

Accepting gifts orfavors from sources orpromoting social andpolitical causes.


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Ethical pitfalls

Bias

Slanting a story bymanipulating facts tosway opinions.

Fabrication

Manufacturing quotesor imaginary sourcesor writing anythingyou know to be untrue.


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Ethical pitfalls

Theft

Obtaininginformationunlawfully orwithout asourcespermission.

Burning a source

Deceiving orbetraying theconfidence of asource.

Plagiarism Passing off someone

elses words or ideasas your own.


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Journalistic ethics

When you face an ethical

dilemma: What purpose does it

serve to print this?

Who gains?

Who loses? Is it worth it?

What best servesthe readers?

Reporters, editors maintain highstandard of professional behavior


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Journalistic ethics

Seek truth and

report it. Minimize harm.

Act

independently. Be accountable.

Code of ethics Do they love us? 62% of Americans say

they dont trust the

press. 59% think newspapers

care more aboutprofits than publicinterests.

58% dont thinkreporters care aboutinaccuracies.

journalism laws and ethics.ppsx

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