1. Week 13: Journalism 2001
April 24, 2006

2. Announcements Letter to the Editor: Today’s paper KBJR Tour:
Congratulations, Mia Johnson!
KBJR Tour:
Waiting to hear from Promotions Director

3. Review of last week’s news
Hard News:
Major local stories
Major national stories
Major international stories
Judith Miller in the news: Why?

4. Chapter 26: Ethics and Fairness: Responsibility to Society
The Fairness Movement
American Society of Newspaper Editors: Journalism Credibility Project
Three-year, $1.2 million project:
1998: Focusing on the problem
Surveyed 3,000 Americans, 1,714 working journalists
1999: Developing and testing solutions

5. Journalism Credibility Project
Six major reasons credibility is declining:
Factual errors: spelling, grammar
Inconsistent respect and knowledge of readers and their communities
Journalist bias influences stories
Sensational stories
Newsroom values conflict with priorities
Public who have experience with the news process are the most critical of media credibility

6. Key findings of 1999 tracking research
Fundamental public perceptions of credibility haven’t changed
Efforts to improve credibility are applauded.
Errors can be forgiven, but confession is required.
Absent explanation, motives will be presumed.
For newspaper’s efforts to make any difference, they must show in the pages of the newspaper.

7. Best Practices for Newspaper Journalists*
Newspapers are unfair when:
They get the facts wrong
They refuse to admit errors
They won’t name names
They have ignorant or incompetent reporters
They prey on the weak
They concentrate on bad news
They lack diversity
They allow editorial bias in news stories
They can’t admit that sometimes there’s no story
* Written by Robert Haiman, president emeritus and distinguished editor in residence at the Poynter Institute; Part of the The Freedom Forum Free Press/Fair Press Project

8. The Media and the Public
Criticism of the press
Media Critics
Ombudsmen: “middle person”
Objective newspaper employee who listens to complaint from readers and, when justified, passes them on to the appropriate reporters or editors.
Organization of News Ombudsmen

9. Code of Ethics Associated Press Managing Editors Association
American Society of Newspaper Editors
Society of Professional Journalists
Associated Press Sports Editors

10. Ethical Issues 150 daily editors surveyed on ethical issues
Fairness and objectivity
Misrepresentation by reporters
Economic pressure
Privacy versus the public’s right to know
Conflicts of interest
Anonymous sources
Gifts
Compassion versus policy
Journalistic arrogance

11. Ethical dilemmas
A reporter for a 15,000 circulation daily covers city and county government. Each day, she dutifully makes her rounds: the police department, the county sheriff’s office, the clerk of the court, the city engineer’s office, the city clerk’s office, etc. During the holidays, three of her regular sources give her gifts: a small box of chocolates, a novel and an inexpensive pen and pencil set. Should she accept the gifts?

12. The wife of the education reporter for a 25,000-circulation daily in a community of 40,000 decides to run for city council. The education reporter is not involved in coverage of city government issues or in coverage of the city council. The managing editor calls the reporter into his office. The managing editor tells the reporter that he has two choices: persuade his wife to drop out of the political race or resign his job because of a potential conflict of interest. Do you agree with the managing editor?

13. Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Kate Perry: The Reader’s Rep

14. Washington Post
New ombudsman with Minnesota ties

16. Upcoming stories Feature Story Assignment
Final article due: May 1
Any challenges?
Remember to list names/contact information for your sources
Minimum of three sources
Final eportfolio project: Due May 8
Any problems?

17. Bob Nygaard Guest Speaker: Today
story of no more than 400 words to by Wednesday, 4/26
Bob Nygaard Biographical Information:
Duluth native
Attended UMD from
Transferred to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he received his journalism degree in 1983.
Began as Assistant Sports Information Director in UMD Athletics in fall of Three months later, he was promoted to Sports Information Director.
2005 recipient of the UMD Outstanding Service Award for Continuous Service.

18. Susan Latto Guest Speaker: 5/1
Due today: Write three questions and them to:
Susan Latto Biographical Information:
1963 UMD graduate
UMD Director of Public Relations, 1996-present
Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Greater Downtown Council, Duluth,
Account Executive and Creative Advertising Writer, WAKX FM and KXTP AM Radio, Duluth,
Freelance television and radio on-air talent and writer, Duluth
Private tutor and homebound instructor, Duluth Public Schools
Secondary English and Speech Teacher/Debate Coach/Drama and Forensics Director, Duluth Public Schools and San Diego, California Public Schools

19. Portfolio
Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage.
Access Electronic Portfolio at:

20. Egradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: