Ethics AdviceLine

The hazards of fact-checking: Three media and law groups join to form the Fact-Checkers Legal Support Initiative to fend off attacks on fact-checkers. “Many are being threatened with lawsuits and often do not have the resources to defend themselves,” says FLSI. Threats include online harassment and physical violence by those […]

Morality clauses: Writers find them in their contracts, writes Judith Shulevitz, but “immorality is a slippery concept,” like “public disrepute.” The public is fickle in what it takes umbrage at. “Times change, norms change with them. Morality clauses hand the power to censor to publishers, not the government, so they […]

Ethics quiz: If a man tells media that he will jump off a bridge, are journalists obligated to stop him? Is that becoming part of the story? From Ethics AdviceLine for Journalists archives. Media mistakes. Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.

Ethics quiz: A managing editor discovers his city hall reporter is having an affair with the mayor. If you were the editor, what would you do? The editor called the Ethics AdviceLine for Journalists for help. We’ve been there. https://ethicsadvicelineforjournalists.org/2015/04/14/conflict-of-interest-the-perils-of-journalists-in-love/   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.

Editorial cartoon ethics: iMediaEthics noticed a growing debate over cartoon ethics, and published 11 controversial cartoons of 2018. Four of the cartoonists were fired. Publications apologized for some of them, and stood by others. The cartoons focused on politics, sports and tragedies.     Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog […]

Reporting tragedy — the “death knock:” “Each person a journalist contacts may react differently: slam a door in their face, break down in tears or welcome the chance to speak about a loved one,” writes Laura Hardy. “A journalist needs to be prepared for every possible scenario.”   Visit […]

A symphony way to rescue journalism: Some cities are going to adopt this non-profit, community-based model to rescue journalism outlets or create new ones, predicts Bill Grueskin. “Symphonies depend on ticket sales and a few retail sales, but they can’t survive without philanthropy.”   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog […]

The truth sandwich: Repeating a lie helps it to live on, writes Craig Newmark. “I predict that, in 2019, news organizations will start to institute new reporting methods to avoid being complicit. Tactics may include adopting the ‘truth sandwich,’ which means covering a lie by presenting the truth first and […]

Regaining public trust in journalism: “News organizations and journalism educators should teach members of the public (and their own journalists) how to stop being used as pawns in the meta-game of online disinformation,” writes Marie Shanahan. “One antidote to modern information gamesmanship is more ethics and professional reporting.” Visit […]

Advice to aspiring journalists: “Most journalists are, whether they think of themselves this way or not, explainers,” writes David Roberts. “They are in the business of making sense of the torrent of information constantly deluging us all.” Bottom line: “There are many different ways to do good journalism, but there […]