Ethics AdviceLine

Hexing tax collectors: Sydney Smith offers a roundup of recent media corrections. Historical facts, names and numbers trip journalists, including Romanian witches. “Stories aren’t the only content that needs editing,” writes Smith. “Case in point, an NPR graphic on the midterm elections had numerous errors.”   Visit the Ethics […]

American bias: David W. Moore explores American racism. “It is in the realm of possibility, I think, to suggest that most of us, and maybe all of us, are afflicted to some degree with implicit bias — but the notion that we all share the same biases seems completely implausible,” […]

Conceptual scoops and wit: Essential to thinking in new ways about a familiar issue is wit, writes James Geary. “Journalists need to be witty to bear witness to the connections others don’t see — or don’t want to see,” he writes, adding that as journalists come under attack, “we need […]

Reporters making statements: CNN’s Jim Acosta lost press credentials after questions for Trump ended with a statement, note Al Tompkins and Kelly McBride. “Ask tough questions, avoid making statements or arguing during a press event and report the news, don’t become the news,” they write.   Visit the Ethics […]

Covering elections: The Reporters Committee For Freedom Of The Press offers an election legal guide. “Generally, the First Amendment protects journalists’ right to gather news outside of polling places for the purpose of reporting on early election results,” says the exit polling guideline.   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog […]

News media found more divisive than Trump: A POLITICO/Morning Consult poll compares President Trump with national news media, writes Steven Shepard. Fifty-six percent say Trump divides the country, writes Shepard. “Even more voters, 64 percent, said the media have done more to divide the country….”   Visit the Ethics […]

Medill spotlights local news collapse: As newsroom jobs disappear, writes Mark Jacob, some areas of the country are virtually uncovered by journalism and plagues all news consumers with more superficiality and mistakes. “Which means there’s plenty to read and view, but it might not tell us very much,” he writes […]

How rape is covered by news media: News reflects rape culture, or local norms toward sexual assault, writes Meg Dalton. “Rape culture is difficult to measure,” she writes, “but there are a few common characteristics like victim blaming, implying victim consent, questioning victim credibility and empathy for the alleged perpetrator.” […]

Criticizing journalists responsibly: Don’t make it personal, writes Philip Eil. “In all cases, stick to the work, not the person,” he writes. Journalists are perfectionists. If your goal is to cause emotional pain, pointing to flaws in their work is often more upsetting than a personal attack. It’s “a good […]

Freelancers: Beware the “rights grab:” Jack Davies warns freelancers to guard against rights grabs, “shorthand for a move by publications of all stripes to demand full moral and intellectual rights to freelance reporters’ work.” Remove that from contracts.   Visit the Ethics AdviceLine blog for more.