Media ethics issues of 2019: Sydney Smith summarizes noteworthy media ethics issues.
Misinformation, verification, racism, bad taste and damaging tweets from the past are among them.
Category Archives: Accountability
Journalists Criticizing Journalists
Ethics Codes Overhaul
Ethics codes overhaul: Bill Grueskin writes that the digital age needs a new code of ethics.
2020 “ought to be the year that our ethics codes get an overhaul, as journalists face relentless business pressures, relinquish even more control over how our content is distributed and framed and deal with the consequences of anonymity, doxing and transparency. It’s more urgent than ever, as our country becomes increasingly polarized and as trust in the news media remains tepid.”
Reporting Tip Sheet
Reporting tip sheet: iMediaEthics offers a roundup of guidance in 2019 from media organizations on standards and reporting.
The Guardian issued climate reporting advice and The Orlando Sentinel updated its social media guidelines.
Revenge Porn And Privacy
Revenge porn and privacy: Deanna Paul writes the U.S. Supreme Court might decide on the difference between free speech and invasion of privacy in an Illinois revenge porn case.
Vulture Capitalism In 2020
Vulture capitalism in 2020: Ken Doctor says the 25 percent stake Alden Global Capital got in Tribune Publishing is the latest wakeup call.
“The old world is over, and the new one — one of ghost newspapers, news deserts and under informed communities — is headed straight for us.”
Noteworthy 2019 Findings
Noteworthy 2019 findings: Hispanics are projected to be the largest racial or ethnic minority in the 2020 electorate, says the Pew Research Center, reporting 19 striking findings of 2019.
Columnist Scolded
Columnist scolded: The Colorado Springs Independent editorial board says a local columnist violated journalism ethics by lecturing the city council.
Shaky Anonymous Sources
Shaky anonymous sources: Journalists in the cyber age should shun discredited past practices like anonymous sources and off-the-record backgrounders, which damage public trust. From the Ethics AdviceLine for Journalists archives.
Algorithm Values
Algorithm values: There’s a chance to reclaim news distribution from technology companies, and ensure that commercial and public interest values are better balanced, writes Nicholas Diakopoulos.
“Journalistic news feeds are an opportunity for news organizations to take back control over distribution by writing algorithms with more traditionally recognizable editorial, ethical and public interest values.”
