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9 Week 9: Journalism Ethics and Responsibilities
Learning Objectives
Understand the core principles of ethics in journalism.
Learn ethical terms and concepts relevant to journalism.
Explore historical cases of journalistic integrity and their impact.
Develop skills for ethical decision-making in journalistic contexts.
Apply grammar rules of conditionals and modals in advising and hypothesizing within journalism.
Week 9: Journalism Ethics and Responsibilities
Welcome to Week 9, where we will explore the crucial role of ethics in journalism. This week, you will learn about the moral decisions journalists face every day and the responsibilities they carry in reporting the truth. Understanding and applying ethical principles in journalism is vital for maintaining public trust and ensuring accurate, fair reporting.
Through various activities, you will get familiar with key ethical terms and concepts, listen to real-life ethical dilemmas faced by journalists, and debate what you would do in their shoes. We will also dive into historical examples of journalistic integrity, showing the profound impact ethical journalism can have on society.
9.2 Listening to Journalists – Audio clips of journalists discussing ethical challenges they’ve encountered, followed by class debates on these ethical decisions.
9.3 Historical Cases in Journalism – Reading materials on notable ethical cases in journalism history, illustrating the importance of integrity in the field.
9.4 Writing on Ethics – Essays on the significance of ethics in journalism and personal reflections on ethical decision-making processes.
9.5 Grammar Focus: Conditionals and Modals – A review session on using conditionals and modals for giving advice, expressing obligations, and discussing hypothetical situations in journalistic contexts.
Exploring Journalism Ethics: A Guide for Students
Welcome to the world of journalism, where the power of the word meets the responsibility of truth. In journalism, ethics guide us to report honestly, respect privacy, and avoid harm. These principles ensure that journalists can inform the public while upholding trust and accountability.This week, we’ll dive into ethical challenges journalists often face, such as deciding whether to report sensitive information or respect an individual’s privacy. We’ll also learn about the conditionals and modals used in journalistic writing, especially when hypothesizing or offering advice. But ethics isn’t just about avoiding wrongdoing; it’s about striving for excellence in every report, article, and broadcast. By examining historical cases of journalistic integrity, we’ll see the lasting impact ethical journalism can have on society and the world.
9.1 Core Principles of Journalism Ethics
Truth and Accuracy – Journalists must make sure their information is true and correct. They need to check facts carefully and avoid spreading false information.
Independence – Journalists should work independently, free from the influence of people or groups who might want to control the news. They should not let personal or business relationships affect their work.
Fairness and Impartiality – Journalists should be fair and not take sides. They should give all sides of a story and not show personal bias.
Integrity/Humanity – Journalists should be honest and have strong moral principles. They should not accept bribes or gifts that could influence their reporting.
Accountability – Journalists should take responsibility for their work. If they make mistakes, they should correct them quickly and clearly. They should be open to criticism and willing to listen to feedback.
Respect for Privacy – Journalists should respect people’s privacy and not invade it without a good reason. They should balance the public’s right to know with an individual’s right to privacy.
Harm Minimization – Journalists should avoid causing harm whenever possible. They should consider the impact of their stories on people’s lives and well-being.
These principles help journalists do their job well and earn the trust of the public.
Journalism plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and informing society. To fulfill this responsibility, journalists must adhere to a set of core ethical principles that guide their work and ensure the integrity of their profession. The following key concepts are foundational to the ethics of journalism:
1. Accuracy
Accuracy is the cornerstone of credible journalism. Journalists must strive to report the facts as they are, without embellishment or distortion. Inaccurate reporting can mislead the public and undermine the trust placed in the media. This commitment to truth requires diligent fact-checking and a deep understanding of the subject matter.
2. Objectivity
Objectivity demands that journalists present the news without personal bias or preconceived notions. This principle ensures that coverage is fair and balanced, allowing the audience to form their own opinions based on the facts. By maintaining objectivity, journalists can avoid the pitfalls of favoritism and partiality, which can erode public trust.
3. Credibility
Credibility is earned through consistent, reliable reporting. When journalists demonstrate integrity in their work, they build a reputation for trustworthiness. Credibility is vital because it influences how the public perceives the information presented. Without it, even truthful reports may be dismissed or doubted.
4. Integrity
Integrity in journalism refers to the unwavering adherence to ethical principles, even in the face of pressure or temptation. Journalists must resist any influence that could compromise their moral standards, ensuring that their work remains honest and truthful. Integrity is the moral backbone of journalism, guiding reporters in making difficult decisions.
5. Transparency
Transparency involves being open about the processes, decisions, and potential conflicts that may affect reporting. Journalists should disclose any conflicts of interest that could influence their coverage. By being transparent, they allow the audience to understand the context and potential biases, fostering trust in the media.
6. Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest arises when personal, financial, or other interests could compromise a journalist’s objectivity or independence. It is essential for journalists to avoid situations where such conflicts could influence their work, as they can damage both the integrity of the reporting and the credibility of the journalist.
7. Accountability
Accountability in journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work. Journalists must be willing to correct errors, clarify misunderstandings, and engage with the audience when their reporting is questioned. This principle fosters a culture of openness and continuous improvement within the profession.
8. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is crucial when dealing with sources who provide sensitive information. Journalists must protect the identities of their sources, especially when disclosure could lead to harm or retribution. Upholding confidentiality is vital to maintaining the trust of sources and ensuring that whistleblowers and other informants feel safe to share crucial information.
9. Ethics
Ethics in journalism encompass the broader moral principles that guide reporters in their work. These include honesty, fairness, respect for individuals, and a commitment to the public good. Journalists must navigate ethical dilemmas with a clear understanding of these principles to maintain the integrity of their profession.
10. Bias
Bias can undermine the credibility of journalism by skewing coverage in favor of or against certain individuals, groups, or ideas. Recognizing and addressing bias is critical for journalists to maintain objectivity and provide accurate, fair reporting. Acknowledging personal biases and striving to minimize their impact is essential for ethical journalism.
In conclusion, the core principles of journalism ethics—accuracy, objectivity, credibility, integrity, transparency, conflict of interest, accountability, confidentiality, ethics, and bias—are essential to maintaining the trust and respect of the public. Journalists who adhere to these principles not only uphold the standards of their profession but also contribute to a well-informed and just society.
Matching Activity
9.2 Challenges that Journalist Face
Journalists often face tough choices about what information to share with the public. One big challenge is deciding what is private and what the public needs to know. Sometimes, journalists have to think about whether sharing private details about someone’s life is right. For example, if a public figure is involved in a scandal, journalists must decide if the story is important enough to share, even if it might hurt that person’s privacy. They need to weigh the public’s interest against the possible harm to the person involved.
Another challenge for journalists is staying neutral and fair, especially when the topic is controversial. People expect journalists to report the news without taking sides, but this can be hard. News stories can be very complex, and simplifying them too much can lead to bias. Additionally, journalists may feel pressure from advertisers, political groups, or their employers to report in a certain way. To stay impartial, journalists need to focus on presenting facts accurately and avoid letting outside influences affect their reporting.
The rise of digital media and the fast pace of the 24-hour news cycle create additional challenges for journalists. They must be quick to report news but also make sure the information is correct. With the internet and social media, false information can spread quickly, so journalists need to be careful about verifying their facts before publishing. Even though there is pressure to be the first to report a story, accuracy is more important. Journalists must balance the need for speed with the responsibility to provide true and reliable information. Here is is a video of Stephanie Sy from CNN/Yahoo News about some of the challenges she faces as a journalist:
Thinking Deeper
Privacy vs. Public Interest:
Can you think of an example where a journalist might have to choose between respecting someone’s privacy and sharing information with the public? What would you do in that situation?
Why do you think it is important for journalists to consider the impact of their stories on individuals’ lives?
Impartiality and Objectivity:
Why is it important for journalists to remain neutral and fair when reporting the news?
Have you ever read a news article that seemed biased? How did it make you feel about the information presented?
Accuracy in the Digital Age:
How has the rise of digital media changed the way journalists report the news?
What are some ways journalists can make sure their information is accurate before publishing?
Challenges of Fast-Paced News:
Why might journalists feel pressured to report news quickly? What are the risks of reporting too fast?
How can journalists balance the need for speed with the need for accuracy?
Ethical Decision-Making:
What qualities do you think are important for a journalist to have when making ethical decisions?
How would you handle a situation where you are pressured to publish a story that you think might be harmful or inaccurate?
9.3 Historical Cases In Journalism
Here are some notable ethical cases in journalism history that illustrate the importance of integrity in the field:
1. The Watergate Scandal (1972-1974)
The Watergate Scandal was a significant event in American history that happened in the 1970s. It involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from The Washington Post investigated the break-in. They uncovered that people working for President Richard Nixon were involved in the break-in. This led to a big investigation.
Woodward and Bernstein found out that the people who broke in were trying to spy on the Democratic Party during the presidential election. They wanted to help Nixon win. The reporters worked very hard to get information from secret sources, sometimes meeting them in secret places like parking garages. Their reporting showed that there was a big cover-up by Nixon’s administration to hide their involvement in the break-in.
The Watergate Scandal led to many investigations by the government and the media. It also led to Nixon resigning from his position as President. This event showed how important it is for journalists to investigate and report the truth, even when it involves powerful people. It also showed how a free press can help to keep leaders accountable and protect democracy.
Case Summary: Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post investigated a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, uncovering a massive political scandal involving President Nixon and leading to his resignation.
Ethical Issues: The journalists faced challenges in verifying their sources and information while under immense political pressure. They had to ensure their reporting was accurate and unbiased despite the potential for significant consequences.
Outcome: Their investigative reporting led to increased public scrutiny of the government and reinforced the critical role of investigative journalism in maintaining democratic accountability.
2.The Janet Cooke “Jimmy’s World” Scandal (1981)
The Jimmy’s World scandal was a famous event in journalism that happened in 1981. It involved a story written by Janet Cooke, a reporter for The Washington Post. Cooke wrote a story about an eight-year-old boy named Jimmy who was a heroin addict. The story gained a lot of attention and even won a Pulitzer Prize, which is a big award for journalists. However, it was later discovered that the story was not true.
Janet Cooke made up the story about Jimmy and lied about other things in her reporting. When people found out the story was fake, it caused a lot of problems for The Washington Post and for journalism in general. It showed how important it is for journalists to always tell the truth and to check their facts carefully before publishing a story. The Jimmy’s World scandal led to changes in how newspapers check the truthfulness of their stories to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.
This scandal also taught people that they should be careful about believing everything they read in the news. It’s important to check if the information comes from a reliable source and if it has been verified by other news outlets. Even though the Jimmy’s World scandal was a difficult time for journalism, it helped to remind everyone of the importance of honesty and integrity in reporting the news.
Case Summary: Janet Cooke of The Washington Post wrote a Pulitzer Prize-winning article about an 8-year-old heroin addict named Jimmy. It was later revealed that the story was entirely fabricated.
Ethical Issues: The fabrication of sources and stories was a severe breach of journalistic ethics, undermining the credibility of the publication and the profession.
Outcome: Cooke returned the Pulitzer Prize, and she resigned from the newspaper. This incident emphasized the need for rigorous editorial oversight and the ethical responsibility of journalists to report the truth.
3. The Jayson Blair Scandal (2003)
The Jayson Blair scandal was a big problem for journalism in 2003. Jayson Blair was a reporter for The New York Times, a famous newspaper in the United States. He was found to have lied and cheated in many of his stories. Instead of going out and reporting the news, Blair made up information and copied from other newspapers. This was very wrong because people trust newspapers to tell them the truth.
When The New York Times found out about Blair’s lies, they had to apologize to their readers. They also had to go back and check all of Blair’s stories to see if they were true. This was a lot of work and it made people lose trust in the newspaper. The Jayson Blair scandal showed how important it is for journalists to be honest and to check their facts carefully. It also made newspapers realize they need to have better systems in place to make sure reporters are telling the truth.
The scandal had a big impact on journalism because it made people question whether they could trust what they read in newspapers. It also made newspapers think more about how they hire and train their reporters. Even though the Jayson Blair scandal was a difficult time for The New York Times and for journalism, it helped to remind everyone of the importance of honesty and integrity in reporting the news.
Case Summary: Jayson Blair, a reporter for The New York Times, was found to have fabricated and plagiarized numerous stories over several years.
Ethical Issues: This case raised significant concerns about journalistic integrity, editorial oversight, and the verification of sources and facts within news organizations.
Outcome: The scandal resulted in the resignation of top editors at The New York Times and led to a major review of the newspaper’s editorial practices. It underscored the necessity of rigorous fact-checking and ethical standards in journalism.
Discussion questions:
1. The Watergate Scandal (1972-1974)
What did Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein discover during their investigation?
Why is it important for journalists to investigate powerful people like the President?
How do you think journalism helps protect democracy?
2. The Janet Cooke “Jimmy’s World” Scandal (1981)
What was the main issue with Janet Cooke’s story about Jimmy?
Why is it important for journalists to always tell the truth?
How did the Jimmy’s World scandal change how newspapers check their stories?
3. The Jayson Blair Scandal (2003)
What did Jayson Blair do that was wrong in his reporting?
How did people’s trust in The New York Times change after the scandal?
What can newspapers do to make sure their reporters are honest?
9.4 Writing On Ethics
Ethics play a crucial role in journalism, ensuring that reporters provide accurate and fair information to the public. When journalists follow ethical standards, they build trust with their audience, which is essential for a healthy democracy. Ethical journalism means reporting the truth, being impartial, and respecting people’s privacy. It also means being transparent about sources and conflicts of interest. Without ethics, journalists risk spreading misinformation and harming the people they write about.
In your own experience, ethical decision-making in journalism requires careful consideration of the consequences of my actions. For example, when covering a sensitive story, such as a personal tragedy or a controversial topic, you must weigh the public’s right to know against the potential harm to individuals involved. It’s essential to ask your questions like, “Is this information necessary for the public to understand the issue?” and “Will publishing this story cause undue harm or invasion of privacy?”
Additionally, maintaining integrity in journalism means being honest and accountable for your work. If you make a mistake, you need to correct it promptly and transparently. Ethical journalism is about serving the public interest above all else, even if it means admitting fault or facing criticism. Ultimately, ethical decision-making in journalism is about upholding the values of truth, fairness, and responsibility, ensuring that the information we provide to the public is reliable and trustworthy.
Critical Thinking Question 1:
Why do you think ethics are important in journalism? How does following ethical standards help build trust between journalists and their audience?
Critical Thinking Question 2:
Put yourself in the shoes of a journalist covering a sensitive story, such as a tragic event or a controversial topic. How would you balance the public’s right to know with the potential harm to individuals involved? What factors would you consider when making ethical decisions in this situation?
Critical Thinking Question 3:
Reflecting on the article, why do you think it’s important for journalists to be honest and accountable for their work? Can you think of an example from your own experience or from the news where a journalist’s honesty or accountability made a difference in how a story was perceived by the public?
9.5. Grammar Exercise: Advising and Hypothesizing in Journalism
Understanding how to advise and hypothesize is crucial for journalists. These skills help in discussing ethical practices and considering different scenarios in news reporting. In this lesson, we will explore how to use advising and hypothesizing language in the context of journalism, along with practicing the correct forms of verbs.
Part 1: Advising in Journalism
Advising involves giving recommendations or suggestions. In journalism, advising is important when discussing best practices, ethics, and guidelines that reporters should follow.
Common Expressions for Advising:
Should: Used to give strong recommendations.
Journalists should verify their sources before publishing a story.
Must: Indicates a strong obligation or necessity.
Journalists must avoid plagiarizing content.
Need to: Used to indicate something that is necessary.
Reporters need to disclose any conflicts of interest.
Part 2: Hypothesizing in Journalism
Hypothesizing involves thinking about what might happen under certain conditions. It is often used to discuss potential outcomes or to reflect on past events that could have gone differently.
Common Expressions for Hypothesizing:
If + present tense, will + base verb: Used to discuss real and likely future situations.
If you investigate thoroughly, you will find the truth.
If + past tense, would + base verb: Used to discuss hypothetical or less likely situations.
If the journalist had more time, they would cover the story in greater detail.
If + past perfect, would have + past participle: Used to discuss hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen.
If the editor had known, they would have stopped the publication.
Grammar Exercise: Complete the Sentences
Now, let’s practice by completing the following sentences with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.
If you (to be) __________ a journalist, you must always verify your sources before publishing a story.
a) are
b) were
c) will be
Answer:a) are
It is essential that journalists (to) __________ (check) their facts before reporting a story.
a) checked
b) check
c) checking
Answer:b) check
If the reporter __________ (to confirm) the information, the editor would have published the article.
a) confirms
b) confirmed
c) had confirmed
Answer:c) had confirmed
Journalists __________ (to avoid) using anonymous sources unless absolutely necessary.
a) avoid
b) must avoid
c) should avoid
Answer:c) should avoid
If the news anchor __________ (to speculate) about the cause of the accident, it could mislead the viewers.
a) speculates
b) speculated
c) were to speculate
Answer:c) were to speculate
Reporters __________ (to be) careful about the language they use when reporting on sensitive topics.
a) have to
b) should
c) need
Answer:b) should
If the journalist __________ (to investigate) the story more thoroughly, they might have uncovered the truth sooner.
a) investigates
b) had investigated
c) investigate
Answer:b) had investigated
It is important that journalists __________ (to disclose) any potential conflicts of interest in their reporting.
a) discloses
b) disclose
c) will disclose
Answer:b) disclose
If the editor __________ (to know) about the reporter’s unethical behavior, they would have taken action sooner.
a) knows
b) knew
c) would know
Answer:b) knew
Journalists __________ (to strive) to present information accurately and objectively.
a) strive
b) must strive
c) will strive
Answer:a) strive
Conclusion
Understanding how to advise and hypothesize in journalism is vital for discussing ethical practices and analyzing potential outcomes. These skills help journalists navigate complex situations with integrity and foresight. By practicing these grammatical structures, you can improve your ability to communicate effectively in the field of journalism.
Project Activity – Journalism Ethics in Practice
For your final project, you will present one example of quality journalism and one of questionable or poor journalism from media in your home country. You will need to translate the texts if they aren’t in English. This presentation will help you apply the ethical concepts we’ve discussed and analyze real-world journalism in your own cultural context.
