In-class Video

In the video, there are examples of digital manipulation in photos and videos. When, if ever, is it ethical to alter a photograph or video that accompanies your news reporting?

It is never ethical to alter images for the news. Reporters have the duty to report the truth. Honesty is a supposed standard for journalists and altering images is not truthful. There is no place for altering images in the news.

The video shows examples of "hype"-filled headlines and alarmist reporting. In many cases, this is due to the fact that such reporting tends to get the attention of audiences. Should the news media adjust their news reporting strategies based on reader demand and/or interest?

News media has the ability to cater stories to specific audiences. It is helpful to report about pertinent information that affects the readers. However, when it comes to alarmist stories and trashy or fluffy topics that have always been popular, news media needs to maintain a balance. When traditional news sources begin to have only “hype”-filled headlines they begin to have the credibility of a tabloid or gossip paper. The alarmist reporting does get audience attention and stirs of readers but it can also mislead, which is against what journalists should stand for. ABC news has a code for employees that says no one should “create events.” “Hype”-filled headlines help create events that wouldn’t otherwise be reasonable issues that many people would be outraged about.

Several publications and media outlets accept "freebies" and "junkets" from PR firms and lobbyists. Under what circumstances, does this present a conflict of interest for the journalists?

People aren’t mean to those who help them. Reporters are people and while some reporters stick to a code of honesty, it is easy to be “wooed” into only reporting positive things. The extravagant median junkets that some companies hold are extravagant just for the purpose of influencing reporters to write a positive story. Journalists must not have bias or influence to be effective in presenting the honest truth. The conveniently nice favors that companies do for reporters present a huge conflict of interest that journalists should recognize.

Why do you think so many media outlets were fooled by the "Fat Squad" and other fake news stories? Do you think that the Internet news media is more or less likely to fall for such pranks?

People in the media get seduced by finding stories that sell instead of what is the most important for the reader. The weird, goofy, outrageous and sensational topics sell. The Fat Squad is an example of when the media cared more about selling papers or ads that they didn’t investigate thoroughly before reporting. Media forgot about the duty of journalists to report the truth to the public.
The Internet news media is just as likely to report outrageous prank news as traditional media. The Internet makes is so easy that any “regular Joe” can report the news. People who do not have journalistic training or knowledge of ethical reporting can make a blog and write the “news.” This can lead the regular people getting there news from unqualified sources. In this day and age, the reader just has to be savvier about where they get information and where that information comes from. Reporters in the supposed professional world and citizen journalists on the Internet are susceptible to prank news and it is getting harder and harder for readers to trust “news” sources.