Meeting Ethics and Legal Responsibilities

Vocabulary ethics “composite character” slander right to reply plagiarism libel privileged statements fair comment prior restraint credibility objectivity in loco parentis Forum Theory

Columbia Journalism Review the watching the watchdog “One of the most awesome changes of our time is the increase in the power and pervasiveness of the news media. That’s why the question of standards is so important. Around the world there is growing public concern about the performance and behavior of the news media. The bottom line is that the public no longer trusts us. And for journalism, that is crucial. Trust is our most important product.

Criticism of the news media viewed as rude, arrogant, and uncaring-- only interested in getting the story suspicious of the giant news organization and big newspaper chains media is inaccurate media is bias

What is the media’s political function in society watchdogs of the government give audience the information upon which to make political decisions fight attempt of government to to business behind closed doors watch for scandal and wrongdoing scrutinize budgets

Economic function –give public information about products, goods, services, and events –advertising Sentry function –describe the issues in our changing lives, Internet, censorship –things that are likely to happen

Record-keeping function accurate record of local national and world news elections bills passed in congress oil prices births deaths

Entertainment function comics feature stories pictures

Marketplace function a forum for all sort of ideas community concerns

Agenda setting function “While journalists don’t tell you what to think, they do tell you what to think about.” journalists have the power to determine what we address as a nation

Evaluate your local newspaper Ask these questions Is it choked with self seeking publicity? Are local issues and problems ignored in favor of Associated Press stories from afar? Is government at the local level covered thoroughly? Is there a lively editorial page with letters to the editor? Do the editorials treat local issues or national and world ?