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