Blogging ethics
Managing Editor Ann Morris is one of three correspondents in the latest issue of APME News to answer these questions: Should newspapers host blogs? If yes, then what must newspaper editors do to manage the ethical concerns surrounding blogs?
She gets it right.
Far be it from me to suggest that our (newspaper editors) obsession with ethics and blogs isn't important. I don't need to be painted as not being concerned about journalism ethics. But it seems as if we are looking for ethical reasons to justify ignoring what we don't understand.
Journalism ethics are journalism ethics. They apply to the work we do, not the system we use to distribute that work. Why would we need a different code of ethics? (Blogging actually raises the ethical bar by its demand for greater transparency, among other things.)
Granted, some blogs have different standards than we do. They seem to publish whatever they want. OK. Some newspapers have different standards, too. Kinda not my problem. Following our code of ethics allows us to be comfortable in our own skin, whether it is the newspaper, the blog or anything else we learn how to do.
Related: Chris Cobler of the Greeley Tribune, one of the original blogging newspaper editors, addresses why journalists should blog.
Comments (10)
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I consider the GNR blogs the main part of the website now. In the year I have used the site, I have enjoyed Clark and Binker very much, in addition to this blog.
As a heavy consumer of news and opinion, I find the work you folks have done to be of benefit to the "news as conversation" model of journalism.
Giving credit where credit is due. I enjoy using the newspaper's blogs.
Posted on September 2, 2006 2:03 PM
I too enjoy conversing with you and your staff Mr. Robinson. At times I have disagreed with your stand and I felt free to tell you so. You in turn took the time to explain the reasons for your actions. A very busy man taking time to try to reason with an aging lady probably a bit stuck in her ways must be respected and thanked for allowing the public in. It takes strong personalities who are sure of themselves and what they believe in to open the doors of communication when, it isn't expected, and when they know they will come in for criticism because there is no way to please everyone.
As for your code of ethics for blogging, I have the rules taped to the door of my computer cabinet and I do, I really do, try to follow them. But sometimes I just have to call it the way I see it and let the chips fall. Not everyone can be polite or politically correct; someone has to say out loud and long, "Hey People, this is wrong!" I guess I have taken this upon myself since I now have nothing to lose in being blunt. Sincerely, BB
Posted on September 2, 2006 8:16 PM
Fair enough. I assume everyone will call it the way they see it. I wish they wouldn't hide behind a pseudonymn, but I'll get over it.
Thanks, Brenda and Jeffrey.
Posted on September 4, 2006 7:17 PM
So, what does Ann Morris think about Lex' blog entries?
Lex will argue all day they are merely fact.. but as astute reader (and even an idiot) would clearly be able to see that they are laced with opinion.
Doesn't someone like that -- who also edits stories and obviously influences others in the newsroom -- have an obligation to remain *appearing* non-biased.
Lex, of course, will argue all day long that he IS non biased and that all of his wink-wink nod-nod comments about Bush, Cheney and various Constitution Crises are merely US (the dumb readers) reading into them. But, when reader after reader complains about this -- and connects the dots (real or not) to your coverage, it's bad.
I now await either:
1) no answer at all
2) a pseudo funny answer in which you downplay Lex' "influence" in the newsroom
or 3) a straight answer in which you downplay Lex' influence in the newsroom
or 2 and 3 together...
By the way, here's a fun one.. has the N&R published ANY of the latest revelations about the Plame "leak"?
Posted on September 4, 2006 11:40 PM
Well put, Jim Wilson.
I wanted to ask the same questions but couldn't quite express them as cogently as you.
Posted on September 5, 2006 3:28 PM
> Chris Cobler of the Greeley Tribune, one of the original blogging newspaper editors, addresses why journalists should blog.
He's got it halfway right.
(I notice the Greeley Trib's comments are still throttled)
Posted on September 5, 2006 3:31 PM
ah!
so, #1 it is... well, at least my prediction was correct!
sad, really...
Posted on September 7, 2006 12:14 AM
"I wanted to ask the same questions but couldn't quite express them as cogently as you."
I think we established all we need to know about Lex from his record on his personal log, as exposed at Chip Atkinson's.
His fabrication about not calling anyone in the Bush Administration a "thug" over the Plame non scandal was the clincher.
Posted on September 7, 2006 6:09 PM
By the way, John....
Avoiding a potential assault like this is but one reason why some of us use a psuedonymn.
I don't know whether the attacker knew the identity of the person being attacked, but it really makes no difference.
Why unnecessarily expose yourself and your family to this, if it can possibly be avoided by remaining anonymous?
Posted on September 7, 2006 6:55 PM
I'm still waiting to find out WHERE in the newspaper -- if at all -- ANY of the new Plame revelations have been published.
I sure can't find any of it on the website.
The site search for Plame or Armitage returns nothing.
Posted on September 7, 2006 9:19 PM