Stay Clear from Personal Bias

Elizabeth Harris

eh109111@ohio.edu

SPJ’s Code of Ethics states: “Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.” All journalists are bound to experience some type of conflict of interest throughout their career. Whether it be religious, political, personal experience, family related, or economic, a conflict of interest for some type of story is inevitable.  Many times, conflicts of interest that arise can be very difficult for the journalist to deal with; where to draw the can be questionable. However, a good journalist should know when to draw the line when in comes to conflicts of interest.

When working in the field of journalism it is inevitable to become personally vested in some stories. Whether this personal vestment is due to a prior experience, or gained while reporting on a case, how journalists choose to handle it is crucial.

Photo courtesy of the Huffington Post 

Two key components of journalism are objectivity and truth. When journalists choose to get personal in their stories, these two components are challenged. Opinions should be saved for editorials – not objective stories. However, some people are beginning to believe that it is journalists right to express always their opinion. I, along with The New York Times associate managing editor for standards, Phillip Corbett, completely disagree. In a Times article, Corbett states:

“ I flatly reject the notion that there is not such thing as impartial, objective journalism – that it’s some kind of pretense or charade, and we should just give it up, come clean and lay out our biases. We expect professional in all sorts of fields to put their personal opinions aside, or kip them to themselves, when they do their work – judges, police officers, scientists, teachers. Why should we expect less of journalists?

Corbett’s opinion of holding journalist to the same standards of individuals in other professions is completely true. Why should we expect less of journalists when it comes to keeping personal bias aside? The answer is that we should not.

If journalists know that their own personal opinions may jeopardize their ability of reporting objectively on a story, their decision should be to make that conflict of interest known to their editor and simply not report on it.

Political personal bias tends to be a huge problem when it comes to conflicts of interest. For example, say a reporter is dedicated Obama supporter who also happened to be a huge proponent of ObamaCare. This reporter was assigned to write an article on the many troubles the ObamaCare website went through during its launch. However, since this reporter loved ObamaCare so much and wanted the rest of the public to support it, he chose to keep many of the negative facts about the website, making it seem like nothing was wrong with it at all. Therefore, readers of the article did not get the full, true story. This example, demonstrates how personal bias can jeopardize the objectivity and truth in a story. This reporter should have chose not to report on this story; he should have known that his personal opinions would be a conflict of interest that would keep him from reporting on the full truth.

Overall, it is crucial for journalists to always remain objective and report the truth, no matter their personal beliefs. It is our duty to know if we have a conflict of interest in a story that will keep us from being 100 percent objective. If a conflict of interest arises in a story in which they are reporting on, journalists should always take the responsibility to remove themselves from that story; it is unethical not to do so. 

Conflicts of Interest

Jenna Guyot
jg140211@ohio.edu

Conflicts of interest are seen in journalism throughout multiple news outlets nowadays. Although it is a journalist's duty to follow the code of ethics, codes are not always black and white; making it difficult for the journalist to report ethically 100% of the time.

Sometimes it can be a struggle for journalists to report news without any bias present, in a recent article on CBS's show '60 Minutes' lead reporter Lara Logan interviewed Amazon's founder which came off to the audience as a promotion for their products instead of a genuine conversation. Lara Logan was put in an uncomfortable situation, but dealt with it gracefully by proceeding to veer away from further promotional talk.

Conflicts of interest are also extremely prominent in the music industry. The cut throat industry leads to compromising ethics for personal gain. Take a promotional music journalist for instance, they may get added bonus's such as free travel, concerts, food, and other luxuries. Music journalists have to be very careful not to overstep their professional boundaries, because the benefits can be very temping, but often times considered unethical. According to the SPJ Codes of Ethics it is important to, "Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility. Also, be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not. and finally, deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage."

How can we prevent personal bias in journalism? Journalists should report on a topic that they do not have presumption about. Also, journalists should stay away from interviewing people who they know on a personal level. This will eliminate any bias within an interview. Journalists should have ethics, values, and integrity intertwined in their reports to achieve the ideal news stories. The basis of all well-down journalism stems from these three concepts.

Take the Facebook experiment for example, researchers who are affiliated with Facebook tested whether reducing the number of positive messages people sat made those people less likely to post positive content themselves by tweaking the algorithm Facebook uses to analyze any given text that contained positive or negative words. The researchers, however, did not have informed consent from the participants. This action is considered unethical according to the SPJ Code of Ethics which states, "Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public."

It is vital for a journalist to always report unbiased information, which may be hard at times because there are so many ways to insinuate bias into a story un-intentionally. As shown through television, music, and social media, bias can take place in multiple different outlets of media. Bias will be prevented from following the SPJ Code of Ethics.

A sucker-punch to the NFL

Charlie Hatch
gh181212@ohio.edu

The media has been waiting for a story to come around such as the domestic violence issue in the National Football League.

Whether Americans like it or not, the NFL has become one of the most influential organizations in the nation. The multi-billion dollar profressional sports league offers a "getaway" from the unpleasant things in life.

Or so it seemed...

In reality, the scandals exploding out of the league have created a haze of finger pointing, mud-slinging mini-dramas that have lifted the carpet which covered layer after layer of corruption.

And now everyone wants to to come out, admit their mistakes and plead for forgiveness.

By no means are the actions of Ray Rice, who sucker-punched his fiancé in an elevator, acceptable. Domestic violence has always been a major issue in the U.S., and now, perhaps more than ever, it has come to the forefront of society.

But the reaction from the Baltimore Ravens, the franchise Rice played for, was just as horrifying.

Recently, reports came out saying the team had access to the video when it was released. In February, Ravens coach John Harbaugh saw the clip and wanted to release Rice, but was overruled by those in power above him.

What's more troubling, is that the Ravens wanted to keep Rice, but cut him only after TMZ released footage of the punch. Once it was circulating on social media, the team parted ways with the running back, only to avoid tarnishing its reputation.

The complete debacle regarding the handling of the situation is a textbook example of poor ethics displayed by the Baltimore organization, and the NFL which also ignored Rice.

While the consequences can't take back the actions of Rice, the media has pressured more teams into coming clean with their own takeoffs of the scandal, with the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers both stepping in and suspending players with domestic violence issues.

But the fight can't be over. Everyone shouldn't be able to walk away with a clean slate.

It's interesting the NCAA, the super organization overseeing collegiate athletics, reinstated Pennsylvania State to compete in postseason football play, cutting short the sanctions the university was dealt with when reports came out saying Jerry Sandusky, an assistant coach, was a child molester.

Perhaps what is the most ironic story out of the situation is that legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno knew of Sandusky's actions, but allowed for them to continue, and the athletic director followed suit.

Sound familiar?

Penn State was reinstated the day Rice was cut by the Ravens.

Source: Deadspin

Ultimately, when it comes to money and public relations, it's the same as it was in 2011-12. Ethics get tossed aside in an effort to look good in the eyes of the public. It's a journalist's job to acknowledge and denounce those who practice this belief.

The media has waited for this NFL debacle, because a change was needed. And by the looks of things, "a change is gonna come"...at least in terms of the commissioner.

Sure, releasing the video was an ethical debate, but it has changed an organization from the top down.  Journalists, as well as their organizations, have played a key role in making sure the progress has been set in motion.

That kind of progress must continue, as well as the ethics surrounding each individual case.

Sadly, the Rice won't be the last of its kind.

Steer clear of conflicting interests; always be on the outside looking in.

Aly Fossett
af965610@ohio.edu

Today with our ever-evolving technology and social media platform the lines of journalism get blurred. And when journalism gets blurry so do the ethics. With the world of Twitter and Facebook voicing your opinions is a new pass time of many and can create issues when dealing with conflict of interest.

Accordinf to the examiner.com a conflict of interest occurs when the journalist “has a connection to the story subject or issue that might influence how he writes the story, or might cause people to distrust the writer or the news organization".

How close is too close when it comes to relationships with your sources?

RTDNA’s Guidelines for Avoiding Conflict of Interest points out that one of the main parts of a journalists job is to seek out sources and form relationships with them to compile information. This is when the situation with conflicting interests gets a little sticky.

For example, Anna Song a KATU reporter from Oregon City was accused of violation the conflict of interest code of ethics.

The reporter was one of the main investigative reporter in the case of two missing girls who were later murdered in Oregon. The only connection that the reporter has with these two individuals is that she briefly talked to one of the girls before her disappearance. She didn’t know the girls or their families personally.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/ethicspolicy/

Song spoke on behalf of these two girls at a memorial ceremony. This action was crossing the line when it comes to ethical journalism. But when you are reporting in a small town like Oregon City, “reporters are more likely than their bigger city counterparts to be tugged by ties of friendship with sources they encounter on a daily basis”.  

This is also where the idea of bribes comes into play. When you form relations with your sources there is a good chance those sources will try to secure those relationships with gifts and or payments. And then the reporter feels obligated to report what they are being asked and report these things in a certain light.

How much do corroborations     control media?

Journalist, especially TV journalist really have an effect on their audiences. This video points out that even a simple product placement is unethical in the journalism world. The video shows a CNN reporter wearing a jacket with a Nike symbol on it. Even though some people might not look at that as a big deal it still might be subconsciously skewing the view of the audience.

This is exactly why news stations don’t want their reporters wearing over the top jewelry or clothes when they are in front of the camera. It takes away from the story. Instead of people listening to the content they start looking at the reporter and asking things like “that necklace she is wearing is very cute, I wonder where she got it?”. Not only should reporters be transparent in their writing but they should also be transparent in their image.

                                                                                         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBK9hk0X6qw

Is Free Really Free?

Jade Garcia

jg489111@ohio.edu

You are writing a piece on a star athlete, you are handed front row seats to the game for you and a friend and given special privileges within the stadium and invites to the hottest sports parties.  Sounds good doesn’t it? Or maybe this scenario just seems way too good to be true, right?  Wrong,  in fact these scenarios play out all the time in the world of journalism. Journalists have a wide audience and a strong voice which makes them  desirable to the those seeking to revamp or enhance their rep. What they have to say makes a difference in big money businesses such as the food, sports and entertainment industry. A good word from the right person is sometimes all you need to make a wrong right and make a right even better.

If every journalist is being offered these amazing gifts and being showered with love, what are we as the audience really getting? Are we getting the truth or are we getting a fabricated version with some added spice because someone decided that backstage passes were more important than the code they decided to live and work by when they choose their designated career as a journalist. It puts into perspective the types of reporters that are out there and what we as consumers have to be aware of. Do we really want to be duped into believing that so-and-so is the greatest sweetest and most talented player, singer, or chef. Or that such-and-such Broadway show is the best in town and that we should spend all of our money on front row tickets for something that in reality is as mediocre as the person who wrote it.

Journalists have to think about the implications that are associated with free gifts from people who really just want one thing from them , their word. Is something really free when you have to give up your integrity?In this case nothing ever comes without a price even though it may seem like you are being handed all these amazing opportunities in exchange for a few simple words. 

 Many journalists have learned the game of bribery and are not easily swayed by power hungry and attention seeking individuals who try to buy their way to success.  

Those who accept free gifts and maintain their journalistic integrity are those who should be looked upon.  Just because you take something for free doesn’t mean you have to write something nice about the person. If the person giving you swag bag items and invitations expects you to be bought over then maybe journalism isn’t your path. If you are only in the game to find the highest bidder, then when will enough ever be enough and when will you ever start telling the truth?

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest as a Student Journalist

Allison Gens
ag564012@ohio.edu

image: blogs.kqed.org

As student journalists, it is important to start making ethical decisions early so future problems can be avoided.

Conflict of interest is an ethical dilemma that many professional journalists have faced, but little attention is given to student journalists.

RTDNA provides professionals with guidelines for avoiding conflict of interest that can also be applied for student journalists.

The guidelines provide a series of questions in which RTDNA encourages journalists to answer when covering stories that may have conflicts of interest.

Here are just a few:

Will the private actions of a journalist with a news source or newsmaker give the appearance of an unprofessional connection?

This question is asking about the personal friendships and romances that develop between journalists and their sources, especially if the coverage is on-going.

What this means to a student journalist is it is best to being practicing finding sources who are not friends. It is also best to avoid writing stories on clubs or activities the journalist is a part of.

For example, in the North Carolina State University Student Code of Ethics, it states, “A staff member should not cover an event organized or supported by a club, organization or team in which he or she is a member. Such staff members may, however, consult with the other staff members assigned to the story."

Is it ever acceptable to accept gifts from a source on a story?

The question to accept gifts plagues not only journalists, but also to PR firms deciding who to promote and even to business managers trying to make a deal.

For the student journalist, it is often best that the student media organization sets a policy about when to accept gifts and if there should be a value placed on them.

The New YorkUniversity Handbook for Student Journalists outlines this in their ethics code:

“Journalists generally should not accept any gifts from sources or from the subjects of their stories. Sometimes sources will send tokens of their appreciation after the fact, which is to say after publication. Every media outlet has its own policy on accepting such gifts. At the Department of Journalism, students will be asked to return all such tokens, if possible, if worth more than $25. If abroad in cultures where refusing hospitality could be interpreted as rudeness, it may be permissible to accept food, private lodging and/or small tokens of affection or gratitude. Similarly, in some cultures (Japan, for example) it is appropriate for a reporter to present a small gift to a source before the interview starts, especially if the interview is being conducted in the source's home. As always, use common sense.”

In my personal experience, at my internship over the summer, the reporters could not accept gifts valued over $25. And in many instances, this policy came into effect as sources offered us gifts from baseball game tickets to bottles of specialty wine. I watched different scenarios where the reporters questioned whether to accept the gifts.

Will you accept free admission to parks and events you are covering, even when the general public must pay for the same access?

According to the RTDNA website, “Some ethicists insist journalists covering events requiring a ticket should pay the same fee ticket buyers do, while others insist free access is part of the coverage process. Managers should discuss what sorts of events merit free access and if any do not.”

In student media, this is, again, up to the media organizations. It is common to see ethics codes state that a student journalist can accept free tickets to an event they are covering, only if those tickets are not for personal use.

Does the station (or newsroom) have a policy on if and how employees can participate in political campaigns?

This question is important to consider for any student journalist running for a leadership office at the university. This can range from student government to university committees, to even officers of influential clubs.

In the ethics code for N. C. State University, it states, “As candidates for any elected or appointed office in Student Government or any other campus- wide elected office — An employee must suspend his or her work with Student Media during the campaign. If the employee is elected into office, his or her work with the publication must be suspended.”

It would be a conflict of interest for the student journalist because his/her platform may influence the other students, even if he/she is not writing about the campaign.

In Conclusion...

As a student journalist, it may seem like there are many restrictions when trying to be ethical and objective. With classes, homework and other clubs, it may even seem easier to interview friends or accept free tickets and gifts, but in the end, it is about becoming a reputable journalist who is prepared for the future.

image: ecu.edu.au