Law and Ethics - Slideshare

Unit #2 – Defining News, Careers, Laws, and Ethics
Law and Ethics
COM 135 Introduction to Journalism

“A newspaper’s core business is integrity. News is not a product like a tire or a paper towel. It is what we journalists say it is. The reader has to believe. A newspaper’s ‘brand’ is trust – trust in its judgment, its independence, its values. That’s what remains constant. The news changes every day.”
-Richard Cohen, Columnist,
The Washington Post

Today’s Concepts
Press Rights and Access
Libel
Journalistic Ethics
Remember, Seven Deadly Journalism Sins from Thurs./Chapter 7

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 to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Privilege
Fair report
Opinion
Fair comment and criticism
Freedom from Newsroom Searches
Unless you’re suspected of involvement in a crime, destruction of evidence, or someone could be hurt
Shield Laws
Allow reporters to protect, “shield” their confidential sources and notes; only in 34 (32?) states; no federal courts have shield laws, meaning, reporters choose between revealing their sources or going to jail. (Example: Judith Miller of the NYTimes)

Open Courtrooms - Key questions: (p. 141 – Harrower)
Does media coverage harm trial defendants?
Can it bias a jury?
Do cameras turn courtrooms into circuses?
Should the press be banned from certain kids of trials?
Open Meetings – Key questions:
What makes something a “meeting”? Many “executive” sessions are exempt.
Open Records – Key questions:
Material such as defense secrets, medical files, and sensitive law-enforcement data are exempt. Who categorizes the information?
Reporters can file a FOIA Request – Freedom of Information Act
Often called “sunshine
laws” – mostly targeted at
government agencies, boards,
and commissions where tax payer
dollars are involved.

Libel: Publication of a false statement that deliberately or carelessly damages someone’s reputation
Five Things That Constitute Libel – Statements Must Be:
False
Defamatory
Published
With Identifiable Plaintiffs
Fault of Defendant – through negligence or malice
Three Things That Defend Against Libel:
Truth
Consent
Privilege (freedom to report on newsworthy statements and public controversies—including legislative and judicial proceedings; make sure your story is accurate and fair)
Harrower, p. 144

Journalistic Ethics
Why do ethics matter to reporters and news outlets?
The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics (also on p. 153)

Law and Ethics - Slideshare

by Jill Falk on Oct 04, 2011

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