Journalism issue from Chapter 16 "Ethical journalism, is it an oxymoron?"

Paying your own way

Accepting gifts and freebies can cause a conflict of interest when it is stipulated by the donor that you are obligated to report favourably on them. A journalist must report fairly, truthfully and objectively, as their responsibility is to public interest. This is why most journalists and newspapers avoid accepting gifts of any kind so as to protect their professional integrity. The following is the New York Times policy on paying for their own expenses.

When we as journalists entertain news sources (including government officials) or travel to cover them, our company pays the expenses. In some business situations and in some cultures, it may be unavoidable to accept a meal or a drink paid for by a news source (for example, at an official's residence or in a company's private dining room). Whenever practical, however, we should avoid those circumstances and suggest dining where we can pay our share (or, better, meeting in a setting that does not include a meal). Routine refreshments at an event like a news conference are acceptable, but a staff member should not attend recurring breakfast or lunch meetings unless our company pays for the journalist's meals. Whether the setting is an exclusive club or a service lodge's weekly luncheon, we should pay our way.

Staff members may not accept free or discounted transportation and lodging except where special circumstances give little or no choice. Such special cases include certain military or scientific expeditions and other trips for which alternative arrangements would be impractical — for example, an interview aboard a corporate jet where there is no benefit other than the interview. Journalists should consult responsible newsroom managers in advance when special circumstances arise.

If permitted by the local newsroom policy, staff members may accept press passes or free tickets when explicitly assigned to review artistic performances or cover athletic and similar events (for example, auto shows, agricultural fairs or flower shows). But no staff member except the assigned one — not even an editor in the arts, feature or sports department — may accept free tickets. And even when paying the box office price, a journalist may not use membership on our staff to obtain scarce seats unless the performance has a clear bearing on his or her job.

http://www.nytco.com/press/ethics.html

Also, the following is an article discussing whether ethical journalism is an oxymoron or not.

"Ethical Journalism is not an Oxymoron", Lee Wilkins and Renita Coleman http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/05-2NRsummer/52-53V59N2.pdf

Chapter 16 "Ethical journalism, is it an oxymoron?"

1/ The AJA Code of Ethics states that journalists should not use their position for personal gain. The USA Code of ethics from the society of professional journalists says that nothing of value should be accepted and that gifts, favours, fees, free travel and special treatment should be refused. Some Australian papers require journalists to immediately report any conflict of interest which may be presented by accepting this money. The journalist should try to negotiate with the source and make all possible effort to dissuade them from paying you. If this fails it would be unethical to use the source and take their money. However, as a believer in situation ethics, I would determine my action based on the potential information from the source. If the information was of great public interest, I would have to consider the greater good and suspend ethical consideration.

2/ This is an example of why the Sydney Morning Herald bans trips paid for by airlines and limits charity towards reporters. Doing this removes any possibility of obligation to report favourably on those who have provided you services. A journalists guiding principle is public interest and if the trip was so bad that it put people in danger or at risk then it would be necessary to report the poorness of the flight. The purist would say no such trip should be taken unless paid for by the newspaper to avoid a conflict of interest, however very few papers would pay for such a trip. Review the contract, if it is a requirement to provide a footnote of the airline include it, it does not necessarily have to be positive or negative. It is a difficult decision but an ethical journalist should not be bought and should not lie about the trip.

3/ Too many newspapers are reluctant to admit their mistakes. An inaccuracy is not always an ethical breach. "Honest mistakes are not breaches. It is possible to be ethical and factually wrong." All mistakes should be corrected rather than covered up by newspapers. Their duty is to fact and to the public and the only ethical solution is to print a correction.

4/ While it is the duty of a journalist to report the truth, fairly and objectively, journalists are also human. Again situational ethics are applicable in that it would cause more damage than good to run the story. It may be possible to write the story without any names or specifics for the greater good.