Flannery Jewell
fj206516@ohio.edu
If you look at any public relations or news organizations' ethics code, you will likely see something along the lines of "avoid conflicts of interest." The Society of Professional Journalists' ethics code warns against it, as well as the Public Relations Society of America. Still, both codes note that it can be difficult to avoid such conflicts completely. At the end of the day, if you are working for a news outlet, your main goal should be to have the trust of the public. If you're working for a public relations organization, it should be to have the trust of your client, at the very least.
My dad is a part-time reporter, and since we are discussing conflicts of interest in my Media Ethics class, I called him to ask if he has ever had any close calls or witnessed any clashes in newsrooms he's worked in. The answer was yes, of course he has, but toward the end of the call I started thinking, "Wait a minute. If I write about anything he tells me, wouldn't that be a conflict of interest? Have I messed up?!" When it comes to conflicts of interest, there are many fine lines. Since many ethics codes don't state exactly how to do this, I thought it would be helpful to list a few tips on how to generally avoid and mitigate any potential conflict of interest crises.
1. Transparency is key
Always be up front with your rationale when writing content that might demand it. Whether you are writing an article or a press release, give the reader as much information as possible. Always allow readers to ask questions about what they are reading. Recently, The Post Athens broke a story about an Ohio University Student Senate member who falsely claimed to have received death threats. The student also happened to be a member of The Post’s Publishing Board. The writer of the story was transparent in that she made sure to include that the student was affiliated with The Post.
2. Avoid freebies, perks, and complimentary things
If you've ever taken a college-level journalism class, I'm sure you've heard your professor say something along the lines of "always pay for your own lunch." When it comes to news reporting, if you accept anything free from a company or person you are interviewing, it could sway your opinion, whether you know it or not. Your goal is to gain the trust of the public, and it is important to decline anything that could give the appearance that you, as a reporter, are taking a side. The New York Times' Handbook for Ethical Journalism affirms this under their "Accepting Hospitality from Sources" section. They state, "a staff member should not attend a breakfast or lunch held periodically for the press by a “newsmaker” unless The Times pays for the staff member’s meals," and "staff members may not accept free or discounted transportation and lodging except where special circumstances give us little or no choice." This may vary for public relations specialists and social media influencers in instances when you would need to try a product in order to write about it.
3. You can have political views, just don't flaunt them
As a journalist, don't worry, you can still vote! It is just important to be careful not to publicly endorse candidates on social media or in real life. Remember that you work for a publication that has a duty to be unbiased to the public, so unless you are writing an opinion column, it is wise to avoid stating your political views. Last week, a reporter from Minnesota was fired for wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat while covering a Donald Trump rally. Publications generally do not allow their reporters to wear campaign clothing while on assignment, because it makes their audience think the outlet supports a certain candidate or political party.
4. Trust your gut
If you are ever in the field and questioning whether or not you have a conflict of interest, chances are there is one. Always play it safe and consult your colleagues and corresponding ethics codes if you need to. There is even an "Ethics AdviceLine For Journalists" (1-866-DILEMMA) that you could call if you ever have questions about conflicts of interest that people around you can't answer.
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