News Ethics

Today there are four basic sources for News 1.Television 2.Radio 3.Newspaper 4.Internet

Which news source do you trust the most? 1.Television 2.Radio 3.Newspaper 4.Internet

Do trust TV News more today than yesterday? Walter Cronkite

Ethics R.T.N.D.A Radio and Television News Directors Association

R.T.N.D.A. Code of Ethics Preamble Professional electronic journalists should operate as trustees of the public, seek the truth, report it farily and with integrity and independence, and stand accountable for their actions. Public Trust Professional electronic journalists should recognize that their first obligation is to the public.

R.T.N.D.A. Code of Ethics Truth Professional electronic journalists should pursue truth aggressively and present the news accurately, in context, and as completely as possible Fairness Professional electronic journalists should present the news fairly and impartially, placing primary value on significance and relevance.

R.T.N.D.A. Code of Ethics Integrity Professional electronic journalists should present the news with integrity and decency, avoiding real or perceived conflicts of interest, and respect the dignity and intelligence of the audience as well as the subjects of news. Independence Professional electronic journalists should defend the independence of all journalists from those seeking influence or control over news content.

R.T.N.D.A. Code of Ethics Accountabilty Professional electronic journalists should recognize that they are accountable for their actions to the public.

Conflict Since it’s beginning news organizations have always worked under the umbrella of conflict

Conflict William Paley, President of CBS told an RTNDA convention in 1958….

Conflict “One of the basic trouble with radio and TV News is that they have grown up as an incompatible combination of show business, advertising and news.”

Conflict The day before Paley had fired Edward R. Murrow host of “See It Now” for not running a story in favor of an advertiser.

Conflict News Directors over the past few years say that their biggest challenge is with the sales department who are looking for new ways to increase revenue and new approaches to entice advertisers.

With what you now know do you think Ethic’s in News exist today?

The facts  Network news watching is up over last year  Cable news viewing is up  31 million Americans demonstrate each night they want to watch a newscast that effectively and fairly tells them what is happening in the world.  Producing News has never been as expensive as it is today.

The Constitution

Bill of Rights  Amendment I  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or  prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Your Role As A Reporter  ACCURACY  This is your religion  An error is a mortal sin.  Journalism is non-fiction

Your Role As A Reporter  Don’t FUDGE  Don’t ASSUME  Don’t be SLOPPY  Don’t trust

Libel and Slander  If something you say or write defames someone. An untruth.  LIBEL used to be for print-MORE SERIOUS.  SLANDER for broadcast-LESS SERIOUS  THIS HAS CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS  YOU CAN BE SUED FOR LIBEL FOR A BROADCAST

WORDS TO AVOID  Adulterer  Confidence man  Corrupt  Crook  Defaulter  Cheat  Drunkard  Ex con  nazi  Bigamist  Briber  Drug addict  Defaulter  Communist  Fool  Gangster  Mentally ill

LIBEL/SLANDER  If something said or written exposes someone to public hatred, contempt or ridicule: or causes them to be shunned or avoided: or tends to injure them in their occupation

Fair Comment  Film critic says: “The director of this film is a moron”  This is a “Fair Comment” and protected under law because it is not based on fact but instead opinion.

Fair Comment  The rule on Fair Comment:  The statement must be purely comment or criticism and not an allegation of fact

UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING  SECRET CAMERAS AND MIC’S ARE ILLEGAL UNLESS ONE OF THE PARTIES KNOW A RECORDING IS TAKING PLACE  THAT PARTY CAN BE THE REPORTER OR ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE NEWS ORGANIZATION  THE RECORDING DEVICE MUST BE ON THE PREMISES. NO TRANSMITTING IS ALLOWED.  THIS TYPE OF REPORTING SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR CRUCIAL NEWS STORIES.