Week 3: Student Response to Discussion One and Two

ThursdayJan 25 at 2:54pm

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In this scenario, I think it is pretty clear what actions that the editor should take. I believe that he should not include the names of the boys simply because they are minors and they are only suspected of the crime but have not been formally charged with anything. Also to add they may be able to give me more leads in the story if I were to have them interviewed, so I believe publishing their names would be working backward. As a journalist, we must be objective in our all pursuits and remain morally upright because it is our obligation to do so. I think we should investigate further and make sure they did start the fire instead because the story would not be published for another day, which leaves plenty of time for new information to be uncovered. As far as the agreement with the prosecutor’s office I would not worry about that since I would not be publishing their name anyway and their agreement can only go so far since it is unofficial and they still have to adhere to the law. In the case of the nephew of the general manager, he should know that morality should be at the top of the journalist's list of duties. Lastly, if their names were to be published under the guise of some agreement or favor this breaks an ethical code which is independence meaning the journalist should not be influenced by outside sources which cause the journalist to either fabricate or embellish a story.

Jacquette, D. (2007). Journalistic ethics: Moral responsibility in the media. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc.