Ethics From the Bottom Up Ethics is about doing the right thing and staying out of trouble. Legal...

Ethics From the Bottom Up

• Ethics is about doing the right thing and staying out of trouble.

• Legal restraints answer some questions—sometimes.

• Ethics philosophy guides everyday decisions: libertarianism vs. social responsibility, viewpoint, sourcing.

• Underlings should always pass ethical responsibility to their bosses, who get paid the big bucks to take on responsibility.

Ethics is Dealing With People

• Sources.

• Readers.

• Bosses.

• Owners.

• Professional critics.

• Professional peers—colleagues.

Dealing With Sources

• Never let a source read a story before it’s published.

• You may read sources paragraphs in which they are quoted, directly or indirectly.

• Never tell a source when something will be published.

• You’re always on the record unless you agree to leave it.

Diversify your sources—and view

• Our job: present society as it is, not as what we’re comfortable with.

• Do your sources reflect the diversity of your community? They should.

• Diversify by age, sex, ethnicity, income level, profession, education level, religion.

• Get out of your comfort zone—visit people, neighborhoods, organizations outside your experience.

Diversify your sources-2

• Ask yourself: Would a white, middle-class, blue- or white-collar guy take offense?

• If yes, rewrite if you’re saying about anyone else.

• Expand your personal life—the more you know, the more truthful you can be.

• Remember: Treat everyone with respect, whether CEO or homeless person.

Sources & Attribution

• Use neutral attributions—says/said, asks/asked, adds/added.

• Examples of attributions to avoid --Admitted --Acknowledged --Denied --Refused --Confessed --Argued• Non-neutral attributions imply a lie or

malfeasance or uncertainty.• Explain unidentified sources—why?

Sources and Deals

• Never make any kind of deal with a source without clearing it with your boss.

• Always be helpful to sources when you can do so without breaking a confidence.

• Make sure sources have the right to reply before allegations are published.

• Don’t use negative allegations from unidentified sources.

• Treat everyone the same—supergimp!

Sources and Payola

• No gifts, tickets, free rides.

• Give it to charity, share it with the staff.

• Report everything to the boss.

• Don’t pay to gather news—reviews, critics, fund-raisers and other paid events.

• Pay if not gathering news.

• Conduct yourself with humility.

• Do a favor, get a favor, ethically.

Give Readers a Break

• Don’t write about stuff in which you have an interest, or the appearance of an interest.

• The reader is smarter than you think.

• Balance, always, but make the point.

• Respond with courtesy when razzed.

• In public, you represent your publication.

• Strive to not offend or do harm, but do not fear the truth in print.

Dealing With Bosses

• If it feels wrong, it probably is. Take it to the boss.

• If you’re in a spat, seek boss’s support.• Clear even the smallest deals.• Always thank bosses for criticism, even

when it’s worthless.• Give heads-up—if it’s that kind of place.• Boss are paid to take heat—give it to

them.

Owners

• Biggest ethical influence: availability of resources. Live with it or quit.

• What matters most? Quality or profits?

• Is there pressure for puff pieces?

• Does top management screw with copy?

• Is there an ethics policy?

• Is the board composed of people you cover?

Brothers & Sisters in Arms

• Avoid office gossip—you will be burned.

• Help when you can without messing up your own work.

• If you can’t say something positive, don’t say it.

• Avoid talking about people who aren’t in the room.

• Respect others, and you will be respected.

Respect Others’ Work• On the rim, be careful about rewrite.

• Don’t steal words for headlines.

• Give writers a heads-up when you’ve changed something.

• Be positive: Emphasize improvement.

• Don’t be defensive when your work is edited—it’s a team sport.

• Take heat for those who work for you.

• Don’t steal ideas. Credit exclusives.

Doing the Right Thing

• Why is it in the public interest to print this?

• Does the public interest outweigh the harm it might inflict on others, particularly the innocent?

• Is there another way to do the story without doing the harm?

• If it’s not in the public interest, why are we running with the story?

Legal Eagle Stuff

• Libel: Regard for the truth, and malice.

• Libel: Public and private figures.

• Libel: If in doubt, lawyer up.

• Invasion of privacy: Important for people who aren’t public figures.

• Truth isn’t a defense.

• Getting more important.

Shield Laws or Not?

• Some states have ‘em, some don’t.

• Subpoenas of reporter notes and documents growing more frequent.

• If there’s a shield, who qualifies? Bloggers? Folks working on a book?

• Sometimes, it’s best to give it up.

• Always consult with bosses.

• Be ready to go to jail!