Everyday ethical dilemmas facing journalists

Here are a number of everyday ethical issues that can confront journalists:

• Should journalists ever lie or use deceit in the pursuit of a story?

• Should they ever edit a direct quotation?

• Is it legitimate to tape a conversation and not inform the interviewee of this?

• Should journalists accept freebies? Should they do so only on certain conditions? Are there any significantly different ethical issues in being offered a book for review, a free ticket to review a play and a free trip to the Seychelles for a travel feature?

• What is the impact of the plethora of awards on standards?

• What considerations should a journalist have when interviewing children?

• Should a reporter contact the parents of a student who has committed suicide at university?

• Should newspapers carry columns by local Christian leaders but not by those of other faiths?

• To what extent should newspapers provide readers with the right to reply to inaccuracies?

• What special consideration should a journalist have when dealing with the mentally ill?

• How important is it for journalists to protect their sources?

• Is cheque-book journalism (paying sources) justified?

• Is it legitimate to invade someone's privacy for a story? Do different standards apply to public figures and to members of the general public?

• To what extent does overt commitment to a political party or campaigning movement interfere with professionalism and notions of fairness?

• Should newspapers carry government misinformation during times of war (and peace)?

• Is it legitimate ever to break an embargo?

• Is it possible to provide guidelines on questions of taste and the use of 'shocking' photographs or obscene language?

• To what extent does newspaper language reinforce militarist and ageist stereotypes and how can journalists confront this issue?

Now share your opinions with the rest of the class.

• Further resources – Newspapers on-line

The Guardian and Observer www.guardian.co.uk

The Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk

The Independent www.independent.co.uk

The Times www.the-times.co.uk

Daily Mail www.dailymail.co.uk

Mirror www.mirror.co.uk

Sun www.thesun.co.uk

Press Association www.pa.press.net

• Other resources

www.mediauk.com

A resource base for communications media. There is a wide range of up-to-date information on newspapers in the UK, including circulation figures and ownership.

www.researchindex.co.uk

Go to the search page and click on 'newspapers'. This will give you links to many of the online regional and national newspapers in the UK.

www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk

An interesting resource for ideas, essays and concepts about newspapers. The information on this site is updated fairly regularly, but as you will be warned, it doesn't guarantee to be completely up-to-date about rapidly changing issues such as circulation and ownership. Useful links.