Week 3: Student Response to Discussion One and Two

This assignment must be completed on or before Thursday Feb 01, 2018 by 10pm

PST. There are six files that need a response to them.

ChristinaPeacock

Jan 24, 2018Jan 24 at 4:15pm

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As the editor of the Town Times, it is my obligation to ensure that I not only report accurate information but also to ensure that the story is reported morally. With that being said, I would not include Damon or the other accused child in the story. Although they have been accused, until it’s proven this information could only be considered hearsay. Not to mention mentioning Damon’s name could damage the relationship I have with the prosecutors office. As a journalist, maintaining the relationship with the prosecutor’s office, is a definite priority, considering we could always get the most up to date information on crimes directly from them. Outside of the prosecutor’s office, publishing Damon’s name could damage my professional relationship with the general manager, who is also Damon’s uncle. Although the agreement between the paper and the prosecutor’s office is unofficial and I have the right to publish the information obtained, it would have consequences which may not be worth the risk. “If we choose to exercise the right and actually do what we are entitled to do, then we incur responsibilities for the way we choose to act and the consequences of our decisions for ourselves and others” (Jacquette, 2007).For instance, if it later comes out that maybe it was equipment that caused the fire, I would have to issue a retraction statement. Even with a retraction statement, the story could still be found some where due to the advancement in technology. Which could affect future opportunities for the boys. The only circumstance I would publish the names of the accused, would be after prosecution. In this particular circumstance with the unofficial agreement with the prosecutor’s office, even after prosecution I would leave them unnamed.

References:

Jacquette, D.(2007)Journalistic Ethics:Moral Responsiblity in the media.Upper Saddle River,New Jersey.Pearson Education

ChristinaPeacock

ThursdayJan 25 at 5:44pm

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After reading “Strangers Bearing Gifts” I would suggest that the network decline the offer from the sales person. The network does have an audience that would probably be interested in the content, however the content could seem deceptive to the audience. Considering the story is supposed to persuade potential customers into getting brochures which provide more information on procedures to assist with diabetes, but instead mostly contains advertising. As mentioned in appendix 4, which pertains to the code of ethics in radio and television “Provide a full range of information to enable the public to make enlightened decisions” (Jacquette,2007). I believe knowing that this story leads to a brochure that contains advertising, its falsely leading the customer. It should be disclosed that the mentioned brochure does not contain further information on the procedures, but in fact advertisement for a pharmaceuticals company. I believe, by disclosing this information it allows the audience to make a conscience decision, whether they want the brochure or not. Also, I would not air the story at night, coupled with the diabetes treatment video, because there still isn’t further information provided on the actual procedures themselves. However, as a journalist if I were able to find out further information on the procedures and include this in the story, I would still air the video about the diabetes treatment. After researching the treatment, I would be able to provide the avenues that the customer could take to get further information on the procedures. As far as the pharmaceutical company, their product could also benefit some of my audience, therefore I would advise that the company pay for advertising. Although, it may be more costly to the company, my job as a journalist is “trustees of the public, seek the truth, report it fairly and with integrity and independence, and stand accountable for their actions” (Jacquette, 2007).

References:

Jacquette, D. (2007). Journalistic ethics: Moral responsibility in the media. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Eric Hairston

ThursdayJan 25 at 2:54pm

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In this scenario, I think it is pretty clear what actions that the editor should take. I believe that he should not include the names of the boys simply because they are minors and they are only suspected of the crime but have not been formally charged with anything. Also to add they may be able to give me more leads in the story if I were to have them interviewed, so I believe publishing their names would be working backward. As a journalist, we must be objective in our all pursuits and remain morally upright because it is our obligation to do so. I think we should investigate further and make sure they did start the fire instead because the story would not be published for another day, which leaves plenty of time for new information to be uncovered. As far as the agreement with the prosecutor’s office I would not worry about that since I would not be publishing their name anyway and their agreement can only go so far since it is unofficial and they still have to adhere to the law. In the case of the nephew of the general manager, he should know that morality should be at the top of the journalist’s list of duties. Lastly, if their names were to be published under the guise of some agreement or favor this breaks an ethical code which is independence meaning the journalist should not be influenced by outside sources which cause the journalist to either fabricate or embellish a story.

Jacquette, D. (2007). Journalistic ethics: Moral responsibility in the media. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc.

EricHairston

ThursdayJan 11 at 11:29am

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This article which appeared in the Associated Press titled “ Search goes on Calif. Mudslide Victims; death toll at 17″ set ethical standards in my opinion. This story was properly reported and was also timely and well written. The article pertains to the recent mudslide in California, which claimed about 17 lives. The journalist’s who wrote this story provides details about the extensive damage the mudslide caused including quotes from first responders and correcting a death toll that was previously reported by emergency management officials. The inclusion of factual information, as well as graphs, video, and pictures, gives the public vital information that gives a clear picture of the situation. The public has the right to know this information because they may have family members or loved ones that may be missing. The Journalist emphasizes that there are many still missing and that first responders are working 12 hours a day braving hazards, some being injured themselves. Once again, including this information gives the reader a view of what first responders are experiencing. The Journalists chose to quote family members of a missing elderly couple, which did not need to be included but it added an emotional tone to the story. Concerning ethical considerations, I think the journalists made their best attempt to describe what happened without adding too much detail, while also being vivid and descriptive with their depiction of events. In conclusion, no ethical lines were crossed and the story did what it set out to do, which was inform and report. I think this article was written very well and remained within the scope of what was ethically and morally right in the journalistic sense.

Sanchez, M., Jablon, R. (11 Jan 2018), “Search goes on for Calif. mudslide victims; death toll at 17.” The Associated Press. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/3903ac2663f844239f64bbc42c17858e/Search-goes-on-for-Calif.-mudslide-victims;-death-toll-at-17

Nathaniel Searl

Jan 24, 2018Jan 24 at 1:44am

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As the editor of the Town Times, in my story regarding the school fire, I would choose not to include Damon’s name in Thursday’s edition. I believe that there is a good middle ground between trying to turn a profit and presenting the facts. While it would be factual to include Damon and the second boy’s names as suspects, I believe that this would damage my relationship with County Prosecutor’s office, as well as Roland Bradstreet, Damon’s uncle whom I work for. Including their names may also falsely incriminate them, as they have been accused but not yet convicted. This could lead to an unintentional bias towards Damon.

I believe that it would be in my best interest financially, and factually, to include that two students were suspected, but not to directly include the names of those students. “Since it is generally in the interests of journalists not to be forcibly censored or to be punished by the law for failing to meet the obligations to suppress information, professional organizations of journalists usually set voluntary standards for the kinds of news reporting in which they will or will not engage in” (Jacquette, 2007, p.150). This is taken into consideration here by the County Prosecutor’s office, as the newspaper has an unofficial agreement with them not to include anyone who is under 14 by name. Breaking this policy would surely lead to backlash from the community for me, which could endanger my career. Also, since Damon’s uncle is my general manager, I don’t think it would be a very good idea to knowingly break an unspoken agreement and accuse him before he is convicted by a court of law in my article. Under no circumstances, without altering the situation significantly, would I include Damon’s name.

Source:

Jacquette, D. (2007). Journalistic ethics: Moral responsibility in the media. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc.

Nathaniel Searl

ThursdayJan 25 at 1:42am

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I believe that airing the diabetes treatment video along with the announcement about pharmaceutical brochures would violate journalism ethics. One of the main points our text makes is that making deals for financial gain is not okay. Our network would be showing a very clear bias towards this pharmaceutical company. While this is certainly a good business proposition, and one that could be mutually beneficial for both companies, I cannot say that it is a good ethical decision.

I think that it would be okay to air the broadcast without the announcement about the brochures. I do not think, however, that the pharmaceutical company who spent time and money producing the video would be okay with this. They would lose out on a lot of advertising, which is the reason that they wanted to make the announcement in the first place. I do not think that there is an alternative plan that would be in the financial interest of either party or violate journalism ethics by creating a bias.

If the pharmaceutical company wants to air the video on this specific network, they should be told to buy advertising on it. While this is the more expensive route to take, it would be a decent business plan if their advertisements ran alongside the broadcast about diabetes treatment. This would also prevent any journalism ethics from being broken. As a final bonus, it is more likely that people would see the commercials on television than they would be to go out and pick up the brochures. This may be the more expensive route, but surely it would be in the best interests of both the pharmaceutical company and the news network.

Source:

Jacquette, D. (2007). Journalistic ethics: Moral responsibility in the media. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc.