It's a great cathartic process when you want to vent your emotions about the many stresses of life (like what I am boring you with now!)
This week is all about:
ETHICAL JOURNALISM: Is it an oxymoron? Chapter 16 of The Daily Miracle. Hopefully the text won't outlive its usefulness!
So, prepare yourself for the Semester's grand finale of:
J. JONAH JAMESON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Y'know, why not, as a treat for putting up with my blogs, you can have a double dose!
"They're crap. Crap, crap, megacrap. I'll give you three hundred bucks for all of 'em".
"Guy named Otto Octavius winds up with eight limbs. For mechanical arms welded right onto his body. What are the odds?"
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (p. 406)
1. This question depends on what the information is about and whether it is of significant public interest. however, not knowing what information I am going to receiver would make me sceptical about dealing with 'dirty money'. So, in this situation my decision would be to refuse to pay, not on financial grounds, but like this chapter outlined, on ETHICAL grounds. If you consult the MEAA Code of Ethics, it clearly says in point 7:
"Do you utmost to ensure disclosure of any direct or indirect payment made for interviews, pictures, information or stories"
It's hard to make an informed decision on all these ethical issues because usually you don't have time to plan what you're going to say, think or do. It's then and there. Right here, right now!
2. I would definitely report on how I honestly felt about it, because the role of a journalist is to be fair and accurate. Otherwise the story is a compromise, and a lie told to deliberately deceive the public. Also, unless it is legally written in a contract, the airline can't demand me to write anything specific about their company. And since it may only jeopardize an advertising contract, probably involving big money, they don't want to be associated with a company who doesn't deliver what they promise, and my story could potentially affect their decision to commit to a contract. In short, be fair and balanced; do not take material gifts or be persuaded!
3. Honesty is paramount in the news and media industry, so not admitting mistakes because of a fear of financial loss is not part of a journalist's duty. Their number one priority must always take preference, which is of course, to serve the public by informing them of accurate and balanced current affairs. Plus, this is yet another case of not being persuaded by outsiders. You must maintain a hard ethical shell at all times and consider every decision such as this one carefully; and I'm sure it's not an easy task!
4. This is another tough ethical situation, because whilst her situation could be genuine, people often exaggerate the facts or make them up entirely in order to avoid media publication or recognition. The best thing to do here is to ask the right questions of the teenager, and probe for as much information as possible without seeming like you are intervening in their private lives and gathering facts for the intention of writing a news story. Don't be gullible and fall for any old story, and I know I may have responded differently to a similar question in an early blog question, but I am wiser and more mature now, and as a young journalist, you have to be prepared to question, question, question!
JOURNALISM ISSUE ENTRY:
I'll try keeping it brief this week as everyone likes to knock of the semester early!
Anyway, oxymoronic journalism. It's an interesting topic in that it is a very grey area. Sometimes, it is acceptable for journalists to take 'goods' or give money in exchange for information, but only in exceptional circumstances where the duty to serve the public comes first.
Journalists shouldn't be wooed by materialistic possessions from PR people who expect positive reviews and publicity in return. That undermines the whole point of the profession in all aspects; it is even personally unrewarding to know that what you say isn't truly what you believe.
Fairfax journalists are under no circumstances to accept these 'bribes' as part of their code of ethical practice, which is covered under point 4:
"Do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence"
Makes you wonder how many news organisations actually strictly adhere to this code of practice. Is their policy actually codified?
But in the end: Ethics and morals are priceless. Integrity is everything.
MEAA members engaged in journalism commit themselves to:
-Honesty
-Fairness
-Independence
-Respect for the rights of others.
Now finally before we wrap it up, we shall raise our glasses to the essence of journalistic objectivity:
Zeej McQueen out, for the last time: "Zeejay's Journalism Junk" Goodnight.
