Ethics = rules and standards governing conduct within a profession OR principles distinguishing right and wrong

Main ethical problems in journalism:

•   plagiarism -- passing off other's work as your own; most common: using press releases or wire service reports verbatim and claiming authorship.  News information can't be copyrighted, but actual words can be.  One in six editors polled in 1986 reported plagiarism in their papers in the past three years.  Recent case: popular columnist for Boston newspaper took several jokes from a book by George Carlin – initially fired but then was taken back.  Claim was he had not read the book, but took jokes from various sources – however, later found tape of radio show in which he had recommended book.  Problem compounded by firing of black writer from same paper earlier in year for plagiarism.
•   payola --taking something of value from a news source, whether or not there is a quid pro quo involved -- free concert tickets, food, travel.  Big papers pay their own way; smaller papers typically accept tickets to events they will review, on principle that they could not otherwise carry original reviews.  Consider cases of book reviews, sporting events.
•  conflict of interest -- covering something in which you have an interest -- not being member of association that you are to cover -- extreme case: refusal to vote in elections because it is taking a position.  Most reporters wouldn’t go that far, but there are problems with cases like George Will helping with Reagan campaign (and later conflict over information provided by his wife).  Local situation: American News reviewer  is routinely credited as a supporter of cultural events on which he reports.
•  withholding information -- what is necessary to a news story?  failure to reveal sources ("Deep Throat") 2/3 of editors surveyed in 1983 said they would not print the name of a rape victim because of consequences to victim -- American News policy of withholding names of those arrested until they have actually been charged.  Withholding names of juvenile offenders, even when they have been charged and convicted.  Withholding material information, like a journalist’s involvement in a cause.
•   deceit -- making up a story -- case of Washington Post reporter who made up story about a young drug addict, won Pulitzer Prize but had to give it up when fiction was revealed.  Chicago Sun-Times and the Mirage Tavern -- elaborate sting operation to reveal corruption in city inspectors' office, but tactics criticized and may have prevented Pulitzer Prize for story.  However, many types of story only possible through mild deception -- clear case for situation ethics.
•  invasion of privacy -- families of accident victims and the ghoul watch; Arthur Ashe case; Richard Jewell case.  Most recently: controversy over “outing” of Henry Hyde’s affair 30 years after the fact.  Story was fed to over 50 reporters and media outlets before on-line magazine Salon went with it.  Possible justification: Hyde was prepared to sit in judgement on the President over his sexual activities.  Response: it is pretty old news.
•  falsification of quotes.  New Yorker reporter said this is a common practice -- immediate response from other reporters.  Is it okay to make up quotes if the gist of the idea is the same?  Tape recording vs. written?
•  participation in the news. Mississippi papers offered material under the table from one candidate's office, suggesting opposing candidate for governor was homosexual and providing affidavits from male prostitutes.  None printed it, so candidate finally had press conference to bring out charges.  He lost; after election prostitute revealed that they had been paid for making false accusations.

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This page last updated on October 1, 1998.