JRNL Exam 2

engaged journalism

An inclusive practice that prioritizes the information needs and wants of the community members it serves, creates collaborative space for the audience in all aspects of the journalistic process, and is dedicated to building and preserving trusting relationships between journalists and the public

examples of engaged journalism

• Reading audience comments on stories and responding to legitimate questions and concerns

• Soliciting question from the audience before conducting a big interview

• Holding public forums/listening sessions to get ideas on topics to cover

what are three ways to define your audience?

1. Geographic

2. Topic

3. Demographic

What’s the problem with “top-down” journalism?

the idea that “professional” journalists knew best what the audience needed (based on education, training, experience)

• it was more of a “one-way” relationship between journalists and their audience

How can journalists/news organizations be more inclusive?

1. Casting a wider net when looking for voices and images for a story, no matter the topic

2. Hone in on individual communities or voices in stories focused on that group

Why is being inclusive important?

understand the experiences of others

avoid using 1-2 people to represent a whole group

check your own unconscious/implicit biases

be precise and careful about language and visuals

Describe how journalism can both reinforce and dispel stereotypes

reinforce: consistently presenting narrow, repetitive, or inaccurate portrayals of marginalized groups, often linking them to crime, poverty, or conflict

dispel: consciously implementing diverse sourcing, fostering inclusive newsrooms, and providing reporting that challenges set stereotypes by the public

define independence

an essential element of journalism that should keep journalists away from anything that would get in the way of their duty to the public/conflict of interest

• Two Types:

  • external influences (outside the newsroom)

  • internal influences (inside the newsroom)

define objectivity

expressing or dealing with verifiable facts or conditions

define neutrality

taking no position or side to an issue

External influence threats to journalists

• do not accept gifts

• do not donate

• do not participate in rallies/marches

• avoid conflict of interests

Internal influence threats to journalists

• advertisers, subscribers, donors, public funding, ownership

• the money that comes into the news org should have no influence on news content

• there should be a clear distinction between teh news departments and the sale department

problems with Neutrality in journalism

assumes journalists can never take a side or position on any topic

“False equivalency”: presenting 2 competing sides of a conflict as equally legitimate when they aren't (example: vaccines cause autism and climate change)

problems with Objectivity in journalism

we think of this as a personal quality, someone’s ability to detach from their personal opinions instead of the objectivity of their work

Examples of False Equivalency

• a product that is just as good as the leading brand without evidence

• seeing a peaceful protest and a violent riot as equally dangerous

Examples of Structural Bias in journalism

temporal bias

conflict

bad news

authority

Temporal

bias toward new information

Conflict

bias toward stories with two opposing sides

Bad News

bias toward stories about things that are bad/wrong with society/community

Authority

a bias toward “official” sources (police, spokespeople, politicians, etc.)

Ethics

a set of external rules that guide right and wrong conduct, can change based ons situation or context

how is Ethics different from Morality and Legality?

ethics is external rules that can vary between environments, while mortality and legality has a set of rules that rarely change & are determined by a set group

Which of the three ethical traditions works best for journalism and why?

Deontology because it focuses on duties or rules

What are the Code of Ethics for journalists?

Seek Truth and Report It

Minimize Harm

Act Independently

Be Accountable and Transparent

Prescriptive

aspirational, the things that you should do

• SPJ, RTDNA, NPPA, APSE

Proscriptive

focused on the things you cannot/should not do

• New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press

Seek Truth and Report It

journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information

Minimize Harm

This involves balancing the public's right to know against potential harm, showing compassion for victims, and recognizing that legal access to information does not always mean it should be published

Act Independently

The highest obligation is to the public, requiring journalists to avoid conflicts of interest, refuse gifts or special treatment, and resist pressure from advertisers or special interest

Be Accountable and Transparent

Journalists must take responsibility for their work, explain ethical choices to the public, correct mistakes promptly and prominently, and encourage civil dialogue

9 Steps in Ethical Decision Making

Start with an open mind

Get all the facts you can

Listen to what your gut is saying

Identify which duties are at stake

Figure out what kind of conflict you’re facing

Brainstorm and analyze

Reach a conclusion – and try to reach consensus

Try to minimize the harm your decision might cause

Look toward the future

The First Amendment to the US Constitution

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Why did the Founders include freedom of speech/press in the Constitution?

they used the power of the press to gain independence

• Some felt it was a “natural right” and believed in a “marketplace of ideas”

Who can violate the First Amendment?

only the government

Who has the final say in whether someone has violated the First Amendment?

the US Supreme Court

Prior Restraint

government prohibition of speech in advance of publication (violation of first amendment)

What are the two aspects of speech that courts use to determine if it is protected by the First Amendment

1. Category of speech

2. Content-based vs Content-neutral

Category of speech

some forms of speech are considered more protected than other

• Political speech is most protected

• Threats, obscenity, defamation, etc. are least protected

Content-based vs Content-neutral

does the law restrict speech based on what is said (content- based) or when/where/how it is said (content-neutral)

• Content-based are generally presumed a violation

defamation

any false communication about another person that harms their reputation

libel

defamation that is written

slander

defamation that is spoken

Know the elements of a libel case

1. You were identified in the content (not necessarily by name)

2. And the information was false

3. And presented as a statement of fact

4. And the false information harmed your reputation

How can journalists defend themselves against the elements of a libel case?

• Truth: Only false statements are considered libel

  • Minor errors are protected as long as the info is “substantially true”

  • Journalists can use their reporting process as evidence

• Fair Reporting: journalists are protected if they report information from an official record or report

• Fair comment and criticism: Any statement presented as an opinion is protected

• Issuing a correction or retraction can also help in a libel defense

Why was New York Times v. Sullivan was such an important case for journalists?

The court’s decision set a new standard for libel fault when it comes to public figures: “actual malice”

actual malice

The degree of fault with which the media must have published a defamatory statement about a public official knowing the story was false when it was printed or aired and then exercising reckless disregard for the truth

How do “shield laws” protect journalists?

providing a legal privilege to refuse to disclose confidential sources, information, or unpublished materials (like notes or footage) in court, before grand juries, or to government officials

inclusive storytellng

seeks to truly represent all people around the globe. It gives voice and visibility to those who have been missing or misrepresented in traditional narratives of both history and daily journalism

Transparent Journalism in the textbook

1. Knight Foundation: reported Black Twitter

2. Trusting News: election coverage

3. WCPO/KCRG TV Station: WCPO used Reddit AMA's to facilitate active discussion; KCRG created a landing page for their Trusting News work

False Equivalency

presenting 2 competing sides of a conflict as equally legitimate when they aren't

What are the 3 ethical traditions of journalism?

deontology, teleology, and virtue ethics

common ethical duties

independence, honest, transparency, avoiding harm