Conflicting Interest in the Media

Madeline Harden 

mh361519@ohio.edu

Illustration via Chris Madden.  

It is imperative that journalists maintain a strong sense of trust with the communities they serve. One thing that can jeopardize that trust is conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest arises when someone expected to act impartially has a personal stake in emotional, financial, or other issues.

Relationships are a vital aspect of journalism. Having a solid relationship with a source or connecting for a story can be crucial in covering a story. But it's essential to distinguish between good contact and potential conflict of interest. 

I would argue the relationship between journalists and politicians became so entrenched once the occupation of a journalist was no longer a voice for the middle class. Journalism used to be a profession that didn't require a college degree, but now it's elitist, and even an undergraduate degree isn't enough to make it. Journalists play an essential role in checking politicians' power, and both are important to each other's jobs. The relationship with politicians becomes less than a source, but a colleague, sometimes even a spouse. Many journalists are no longer a voice for the little man, and the profession has snowballed into something completely different. 

Conflicts of interest are somewhat inevitable in a world where bias is unavoidable. But as journalists, it's our responsibility to take this into account in our reporting. Recognizing our implicit biases is a vital part of our work. As said by David Poulson, "No one is unbiased. The key is for journalists to manage those biases and to be transparent about them." While there are some occasions where these biases can help in our reporting, it's a fragile ethical line to walk. 

Media companies also have a responsibility to be monitoring journalists and be aware of potential conflicts of interest. This practice should be a given, but transparency is vital to journalism, and potential conflicts should be addressed and recognized in any journalist's reporting. The reading from The Washington Post mentioned the commandment of journalism, "Thou shalt not have a vested interest in the story you're covering. Otherwise, a personal entanglement could color a reporter's neutrality or cloud public perceptions of fairness. An obvious area of concern: when a journalist's relatives or spouse is part of the news."

Above all, we must remember the most critical ethical value to seek truth regardless of where it lies. Regardless of our relationships, we must be seeking out the truth, serving the public first.