Monday, November 29

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone had a great break! We will be starting a unit on Media Ethics today - discussing what is and is not ethical of the press, what difficult decisions must be made, and how journalists go about deciding. I will pass around a handout detailing the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, which are also listed below. To view the complete document (which I recommend), you may visit http://www.spj.org/pdf/ethicscode.pdf.

We will begin watching the film, Shattered Glass, in class. The film dramatizes a scandal that took place at The New Republic news magazine in 1998 when reporter Stephen Glass fabricated the majority of his articles. It's a great movie and I think you will enjoy it! As you watch, take note of the different elements of the Code of Ethics we go over in class, as well as any observations you make. I will be collecting your notes on Wednesday after we finish up the film.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics

Preamble: Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

Seek Truth and
Report It: Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Minimize Harm: Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.

Act Independently: Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.

Be Accountable: Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.

The New Republic

v Began in 1914

v An American magazine of politics and the arts

v It began having a liberal focus, but moved to encompass all sides of the political spectrum, setting the tone of political debates in the country.

v In the 1980’s, the magazine was considered a “must read” across the political spectrum.

v It was judged as “the smartest, most impudent weekly in the country,” and the “most entertaining and intellectually agile magazine in the country.”