Discussion 1 and 2 Response to Classmates

ThursdayJan 11 at 11:29am

Manage Discussion Entry

This article which appeared in the Associated Press titled “ Search goes on Calif. Mudslide Victims; death toll at 17" set ethical standards in my opinion. This story was properly reported and was also timely and well written. The article pertains to the recent mudslide in California, which claimed about 17 lives. The journalist’s who wrote this story provides details about the extensive damage the mudslide caused including quotes from first responders and correcting a death toll that was previously reported by emergency management officials. The inclusion of factual information, as well as graphs, video, and pictures, gives the public vital information that gives a clear picture of the situation. The public has the right to know this information because they may have family members or loved ones that may be missing. The Journalist emphasizes that there are many still missing and that first responders are working 12 hours a day braving hazards, some being injured themselves. Once again, including this information gives the reader a view of what first responders are experiencing. The Journalists chose to quote family members of a missing elderly couple, which did not need to be included but it added an emotional tone to the story. Concerning ethical considerations, I think the journalists made their best attempt to describe what happened without adding too much detail, while also being vivid and descriptive with their depiction of events. In conclusion, no ethical lines were crossed and the story did what it set out to do, which was inform and report. I think this article was written very well and remained within the scope of what was ethically and morally right in the journalistic sense.

Sanchez, M., Jablon, R. (11 Jan 2018), “Search goes on for Calif. mudslide victims; death toll at 17.” The Associated Press. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/3903ac2663f844239f64bbc42c17858e/Search-goes-on-for-Calif.-mudslide-victims;-death-toll-at-17