Be Fair and Balanced in News and in Life

Katie Boyer
kb213806@ohio.edu

The principles of ethical journalism are not black and white, but hazy and uncertain. Journalists face some of the toughest decisions in all professions because they must face daily challenges of providing facts to the public and still remaining true to their own personal morals and ethics. So how do we determine where we draw the line?

One of the most interesting things in journalism in my opinion is the distinction between being fair and being balanced. What I once thought to be the same things, turn out to be very different and equally important. Subjects must feel as though they are being treated justly, so being fair is important. On the other hand, the information provided in the news should be poised and stable, so balance is equally important.

Beyond the issues of right and wrong and being balanced and fair, how do we determine our own personal boundaries? As an aspiring journalist, I look at past journalistic practices and situations and ask myself, "What would I do?"

In the case of the fatal shooting at the Amish school in Pennsylvania, as referenced in the text, was the coverage unethical?  In my opinion, people of different beliefs and cultures should be respected and confronted in a manner that shows consideration for their way of life. I believe that some journalists went beyond those boundaries to get the story, paying no heed to the low key, non-media savvy society.

As journalists, we are faced with the difficult decision of what is too far? What crosses the line? I believe that in order to make that decision in the best possible way, one must try to put themselves in the shoes of their subjects. Now, I don't believe that the method is entirely foolproof, but it gives the individual code of ethics a much stronger personal backing.  It also allows journalists to feel sound about their work, both professionally and ethically.