Month: July 2019

Tech companies hide behind backgrounders: Silicon Valley tech companies control information using “on backgrounder” briefings, writes Brian Merchant. “This is a toxic arrangement,” he writes. “The tactic shields tech companies from accountability,” free of risk.   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.

Keeping ticked-off subscribers: There are ways to keep angry newspaper subscribers, writes Laura Hazard Owen. Try renewal discounts, extending or upgrading existing subscriptions and reminding customers of the “full” subscription price.   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.

The perils of identification: Obtaining permission is not the same as informed consent, writes Megan Frye. A New York Times story about gang violence in Honduras including real names and photos is criticized for failing to recognize dangers.   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.

Building an ethical culture at NPR: The NPR standards & practices editor tells Victoria Kwan about language usage, social media practices and urgent ethics issues. “The bottom line is still fact-checking and verification,” says editor Mark Memmott. “Your credibility as a journalist will depend upon how well yo do those […]

Happy newsrooms: Define your mission, then work with others with different mindsets and skills, writes Uli Koppen. Interdisciplinary teams involve a lot of trial and error. A great experience and “a hell of a headache,” he writes.   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.

Sex crimes victims’ privacy: A Spanish woman kills herself when a sex video surfaces, causing a sensation in the Spanish press. Meaghan Beatley reports a plea for ethics guidelines to cover gender violence. Spain’s Data Protection Agency moves to remove online revenge porn within 24 hours.   Visit the […]

Steps to collaborative journalism: “Collaborative projects focus on the experiences of affected people and represent exciting changes,” writes Emily Goligoski. Start with a revenue model.   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.

Doubting the fact-checkers: Pew Research Center finds that Republicans and Democrats react differently to fact-checkers. “Overall, Americans are split in their views of fact-checkers,” reports the center.   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.

Bad year for journalism job cuts: The news business lost 3,000 jobs in the first five months of this year, writes Gerry Smith, worst since 2009. “While tech giants are often blamed for the news industry’s financial troubles,” writes Smith, “they have also become a destination for journalists who want […]