Issues in Journalism

1. Independence from faction Issues in Journalism

2. One critic’s view of Fox

3. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • “Journalists must maintain an independence from those they cover.”

4. Role of opinion journalism • What separates opinion journalism from propaganda, partisanship or political activism? • Is it journalism? Well, it can serve a watchdog purpose and seek truth. It can serve the citizens and provide a forum. • That’s the definition of journalism. • But isn’t neutrality a core principle of journalism? • No says Tom and Bill (pg. 12150

5. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • What about opinion journalism? • Isn’t neutrality a key part of journalism? (page 115) • No. Not a core principle. • The difference between journalism and propaganda= Holding true to the facts and accuracy. Pursuing the truth wherever it goes despite your political leanings, philosophy or bias.

6. Role of opinion journalism • But if impartiality/neutrality is not a core principle, what distinguishes journalism from propaganda?

7. Role of opinion journalism • William Safire sorts it out: • “Where does loyalty lie?” pg. 116 TEOJ • It must be with the truth. • That’s the difference. That’s the test. • Hard facts. Truthful conclusions • Not letting ideology turn you away from a story. Candid labeling. Honesty.

8. The 4th key principle of journalism • Journalists must maintain an independence from those they cover. (pg. 118 TEOJ) • This applies to those who write criticism, commentary, editorials and op-ed pieces too. • “It is this spirit of independence and mind, rather than neutrality, the journalists must keep in focus.” (pg. 118 TEOJ) • Columnists and editorialists are not impartial, but are bound by the facts.

9. Independence of mind • Opinion is free, but facts are sacred • The underlying point here is the commitment to citizens and the truth • “Provocateurs like Ann Coulter … (only) care about opinions, preferably shouted. Facts, it any, are incidental.” (TEOJ 119)

10. Who is a journalist? • Walter Cronkite • Bill O’Reilly • Anderson Cooper • Glen Beck • Rachel Maddow • Matt Drudge • Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (deceased) • Bob Woodward • Hellboy • Answer: Cronkite, Cooper, Thompson, Woodward (sorry, Hellboy)

11. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • The question is not: Who is a journalist? • But are they doing journalism? (page 120)

12. Who is a journalist? • The better question: Are they doing journalism? • Are they bound to the Elements of Journalism? • Or are they lie-mongering, activist slanted or propaganda? • Freedom or press/speech belongs to everybody • Journalism and communication are not interchangeable terms • Anyone can be a journalist. Not everyone is. (TEOJ 120)

13. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • Who is a journalist? • What separates the journalist from the political partisan, the activist and the propagandist? • “As the media landscape broadens and evolves to meet the need of a more inclusive and activist public … what makes something journalism?” (page 115) • Truthfulness, commitment to the public and watchdog role.

14. Independence of spirit • Gallagher, Will and others violate this standard by aligning with those they cover. • Conflict of interest rule: If there is a potential conflict of interest it should be revealed… or completely avoided by not getting involved with causes, people and ideas that will destroy your credibility. • All you have in the end is your credibility.

15. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • Principle 4: Journalists must maintain an independence from those they cover. • Independence of mind (page 119) • Opinion in editorials may be based on point of view… but the facts are still the facts. • Those that only care about opinion and not the facts are propagandists or activists. They are not journalists. • You are entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.

16. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • Reporters as activists • The conflict of interest test

17. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • Independence reevaluated (page 1264-131) • The journalist as activist undermines journalistic credibility: George Will, William Kristol, etc. • Media personalities who are really political operatives. Best described as “media activists.” (page 127) • The best example: Fox News

18. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • The partisan press is all about the Journalism of Affirmation (page 128) • Speaking to like-minded people and not necessarily following the facts because it runs contrary to preconceptions. • The blurring of journalistic identities: political operatives become news people. Is that a bad thing?

19. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • Rupert Murdoch’s Fox is “focused heavily on argument and ideology.” (page 127) • Creating “balance” by giving airtime to conservatives • But… who is running Fox? Roger Ailes, a political operative from the Nixon and Bush administrations. • The partisan press reinforces the preconceptions of the audience and abandons the watchdog role over the powerful. (page 128)

20. Independence reevaluated • Fox wraps itself up into a mantle of independence • “We report. You decide.” Then “Fair and Balanced.” • The appeal to the Fox (MSNBC etc. ) audience is: If you like us, then our news is accurate and complete. • Formerly, the appeal was: We’re independent because we take on powerful interests for you. We tell the truth. We are the watchdog of the powerful. Trust us. • The journalism of affirmation is a marketing strategy. It’s about control. • It’s prevalent and it’s wrong.

21. Chapter 5: Independence from Faction • Independence from class or economic status • Class isolation of journalists is a threat because the public sees them as an “elite” or a part of the establishment: The Mainstream Media. • Independence from race, ethnicity, religion and gender. • Do you hold allegiance to core principles of journalism or are you held hostage to your situation?

22. From the SPJ Code of ethics • Act IndependentlyJournalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.Journalists should: • —Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.

23. What do you do? • You are the host of a popular public radio show in your state. One night at a party attended by a lobbyist for an electric utility, you tell someone that your car is in the shop for a week. The lobbyist overhears you and comes over. He offers you a car for a week courtesy of the utility. • You have been invited to go on a rafting trip down the Colorado River by the National Park Service. The trip costs $1,800 and will be paid for by the government. Threats to the river ecosystem is the focus of this week-long journey. Should you go? • You are a political reporter for a cable network. You decide for the first time in your life to send a $50 campaign contribution to your local congressman. You have covered him throughout his career.

24. What do you do? • You are an environmental reporter for a newspaper. Is it OK to join the local bird-watching group, astronomical group or the Sierra Club? • You have a great idea for a story for The Voyager about a fraternity/sorority that is sponsoring a campaign to help poor kids. You date a guy/girl in the organization. Should you write the story? • You’re a political reporter and cover the Legislature. You’ve been invited to a golf tournament for lawmakers sponsored by a top lobbying firm. You love golf and the tournament will be a good place to hang-out, schmooze and get some inside stuff. Should you go? • You’re assigned to cover the political debut of a guy running for U.S. Congress. There’s a great buffet at campaign headquarters. Should you munch out?

25. Independence from faction • http://www.weartv.com/sections/station/news_team/sue_30_years.shtml • http://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/forms/Administrative%20Orders/20061005_magistrate_judge_merit_selection_panel.pdf • http://santarosaspeaks.com/cgi/forum/Blah.pl?m-1297621332/s-30/ “Straughn, as a journalist, should not double up as an arm of the government. And, particularly, without announcing to the public that she’s working behind the scenes on who sits on the bench. We’re left to wonder how WEAR-TV will handle it if Kahn makes another major misstep one he takes his federal job. Will Sue deliver the news? Will she add that, by the way, she helped pick this man?” (PNJ editorial)