Is there such a thing as "journalistic ethics"?

CW5 Jim Steddum — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:09:02 -0500

I teach media relations and a policy and media classes in my current position. Recently, based on the events the past few years, become increasingly interested in the notion of journalistic ethics. Yes, there is in fact a code of ethics for journalists. It is published by the Society of Professional Journalists.

But, no "journalist" is required to be a member. Even if they are a member, there is no accountability for violations of the code (the First Amendment prohibits this). There is no education and no certification requirement to be called a journalist. In fact, if I paid $75, I could be a member and get the newsletter and call myself a journalist (there are various membership levels.)

I therefore believe that the journalist are not members of a profession; a subtle difference from say, Soldiers, Doctors, Lawyers, Educators, that do require formal education, certification, increasing levels of experience and continued education.

That said, can anyone actually name a journalist (beyond the local level), let alone one that acts within the standards established by the Society for Professional journalists?

http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 25 at 2015 8:19 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:19:26 -0500

I don't journalist are a profession in the way we treat the word profession. It is an occupation and an ad-hoc on at that. One that in the digital age has grown less and less self regulated where literally anyone, anywhere can become a media producer in a matter of a few swift swipes of a finger to film a video clip of post a tweet.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 25 at 2015 8:21 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:21:59 -0500

Interesting question.

I don't track the name of "journalists" or "commentators" or "reporters." I've always treated them like I treated my own MOS of Intelligence. They should be nameless, faceless entities.

The information (as opposed to intelligence) they convey should reliable. And that is what I think has changed in the last few decades.

The media is a profit oriented BUSINESS. As such, they are competing with each other to be the first to release any information, regardless of whether it is good or not.

Two ~ decades ago, the USMC created something called an Information Management Officer (for us). The purpose of this position was to 'streamline' the information that was coming into the commander. So he wouldn't get overwhelmed. There is just so much out there, good & bad, that it could make it impossible for him to make any decision, or create an accurate picture of the battlespace.

That's what the media is doing now. Too much information, too fast. None of it is vetted.

Everyone wants to be first, and corrections are just another story later on.

Gina Davis has a great monologue in the move Hero referring to news stories as Onions. As you strip away the layers, each layer is just another story... until you get to ... nothing.

I used to work with a MSgt, and he told me something about Real Estate agents.. but this applies just as well to reporters. They don't work for you. They work for themselves. And anyone who works for themselves, you don't know what their ethical boundaries are.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 8:23 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:23:33 -0500

I'm voting on commentators. I can think of some journalists (/commentators) who follow some of those ethical guidelines, but none who exhibit all of them. I think it would have to be an established journalist who has made his/her name and can go it alone, without toeing the party line of the boss organization. That would be a rare breed. Maybe a blogger.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 25 at 2015 8:29 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:29:21 -0500

- Is there such as thing as journalistic ethics? Yes.
- Is journalistic ethics practiced? Depends upon the medium. Least on the Internet, a bit more on TV (but not not much), a bit more in newspapers (again not a lot more), a bit more in periodicals, the most in peer reviewed publications.
- Are journalists members of a profession? Not as it is practiced now but it can and should be. Goes to 10th Grade civics. Education is important so that the voting population knows how to make decisions, an independent press is necessry to keep the voting population informed, the three branches of government are necessary to check and balance each other so that a no one branch is dominant and thus takes over.
- The problem is that a lot of the media has become a cheerleader for a viewpoint rather than an independent force to inform the population. A few reasons (excuses) for this: expensive to do investigative reporting, expensive to have people around the world to report on the spot, get better return on investment to cover the Kardashians and 15 minute fame items/people.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 9:29 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:29:07 -0500

I wanted to be a Journalist when I started college. My freshman year, in a journalism class the prof offered the hypothetical of me being assigned to interview the widow of a recently deceased police officer. I asked what kinds of questions I should ask her. I was told I should start with how do you feel about your husband's death.

I have always found that kind of question to be insipid. How on earth else would she feel about it. If she actually said that she was glad the bastard was dead, there might be news here. I'm also the product of a law enforcement family and I've heard both my parents rail at exactly this scenario.

I said as much. Said I'd tell my editor I wouldn't do it, that the lady should be left alone. I was told I had no future in Journalism, so I switched to an Education major where I ended up on the wrong side of a different 200 year old argument and changed my major again.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Jan 25 at 2015 9:46 PM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:46:36 -0500

This is another article that talks about what journalism should be. There is a whole different conversation about the difference between freed speech and free press.

http://www.journalism.org/resources/principles-of-journalism/

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Jan 27 at 2015 5:54 PM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:54:39 -0500

I met an Army Broadcast Journalist today. He feels the same way and is being an aviator.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 2 at 2015 5:07 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:07:37 -0400

There is such a thing, I am told, but like unicorns and the end of rainbows, they are pretty hard to find these days.

Response by CW2 Carl Swanson made Nov 3 at 2015 1:16 PM

CW2 Carl Swanson — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 13:16:00 -0500

I really only have one response, I thought their responsibility is to report the news, not BE the news.