Today, anyone can break a story and publish it to the world instantly. That doesn't mean they should nor does it mean their methods or their content mean anything. For those that still try to "practice" journalism and do so responsibly and ethically, this blog if for them.
Follow me on Twitter: DavidRNorton
Journalethix
In a recent discussion at the Georgetown University Graduate School for Journalism , the issue of shoddy reporting and rumor mongering on blogs and its affect on the profession was discussed. One of the reasons I suggested that so many blogs report irresponsibly is because most bloggers are untrained journalists and thus largely unaware of their responsibilities to the reporting community. Not only that, but a lot of people don’t equate blogging with journalism, which it most certainly is, well written or not. A potential remedy for this is to educate students early about ethics in journalism and the importance of good reporting. That can’t be done if school administrators censor solid journalism in school newspapers as was the case with a North Dakota High School when administrators removed their advisor because they were not happy with the paper’s coverage.
Clearly this was a paper that was instilling solid journalistic principles; it was winning major awards including “top honors in a state competition sponsored by the Northern Interscholastic Press Association, including best overall school newspaper and journalist of the year.”
When administrators punish a paper or its advisor for printing truth, it sends the message that journalism is best left to PR and fluff and that real issues have no place in the press. That’s not teaching our students democracy. It’s teaching students to let administrations of all kinds define and manage content, and that society values sidestepping issues. What world are we creating for our future if pulling award winning mentors from vital programs is allowed to continue?
Copyright David R. Norton 2009
