Journalistic Integrity (Wednesday, March 22 - 6th period)

[imanaturalblond.livejournal.com]

Rita smiled.

"Pop quiz, of a sort," she said. "I'd like you to respond verbally to several different scenarios - these are actual questions that many journalists are asked before they're hired. There are no right answers, per se."

Comments

Re: Scenario 6

[pyramid-is-life.livejournal.com]

Kara shrugs. "Can he? Sure. Should he? Probably not."

Re: Sign in

[janet_fraiser]

Janet signed in. And was a little wary.

Re: Scenario 1

[janet_fraiser]

"The safety of others is a primary consideration. I could do the interview perfectly well in jail." Janet paused. "Is reward money involved?"

Re: Scenario 2

[janet_fraiser]

"Probably," said Janet. "But in this class, it seems that if you don't get caught, that's just fine, right?"

Re: Scenario 3

[janet_fraiser]

"Chances are quite good that he'll be a registered sex offender anyway," said Janet. "I don't see why it'd be wrong to spread the news. If people are sympathetic to someone who's a confessed criminal, well, they should learn to thicken their skins to a little offense."

Re: Scenario 4

[janet_fraiser]

"I wouldn't if they were a juvenile," said Janet firmly. "In any other case, all bets are off."

Re: Scenario 5

[janet_fraiser]

"It seems like a commonly-accepted practice, and as long as they're not violating a written contract, I don't see why it would be a problem."

Re: Scenario 6

[janet_fraiser]

"Well, they certainly can," said Janet. "Whether or not they should is another story entirely. They probably oughtn't, especially if the source is likely to be put in danger due to the revelation."

Re: Scenario 1

[imanaturalblond.livejournal.com]

"There could," Rita replied. "Ethically speaking it should make no difference."

Re: Scenario 1

[janet_fraiser]

"Money is always a consideration, whether that's admitted to or not."

Re: Scenario 1

[imanaturalblond.livejournal.com]

"It's certainly a consideration. But in this instance it's irrelevant."

Re: Scenario 1

[janet_fraiser]

"I still stand by my answer. The question about a reward being involved was my additional curiosity."

Re: Sign in

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

Callisto signed in.

Re: Sign in

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica signed in

Re: Scenario 1

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I agree with Janet," Veronica said. "If people's lives are in danger, keeping them safe is more important than me getting my story."

Re: Scenario 2

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't use something without being able to credit a source," Veronica said. "It's bad journalism."

Re: Scenario 3

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"If he confessed, then people deserve to know about his crime," Veronica said.

Re: Scenario 4

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Again, I agree with Janet. If the person is a minor, they should be afforded privacy. Otherwise, fair game."

Re: Scenario 5

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Depends on the event they're getting paid to take pictures of or write about," Veronica said. "If it's a public event that's being widely covered, then yes. But if someone is paying them to spy on public figures in private settings, then no."

Re: Scenario 6

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"They could, but they shouldn't. If they break confidentiality with any source for any reason, no one will ever trust them again."

Re: Sign in

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica leaned over and whispered to Janet, "I need to talk to you."

Re: Sign in

[imanaturalblond.livejournal.com]

Rita noticed this, and may have sort of devised a little plan.

Re: Sign in

[janet_fraiser]

Janet glanced over at Skeeter, then back at Veronica. "Sure," she whispered back. "When?"

Re: Sign in

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I have a class 7th, how about after that?"

Re: Scenario 1

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

"Get the story, then tell the authorites."