Ethics of Investigative Journalism 1. Journalism arose as a protest against the conduct of public affairs in secret. Journalism should have as a motto"make the world transparent Therefore whenever journalists violate openness, whenever they engage in secrecy, maintain a veil over the conduct of affairs, they contradict their own first principles For such reasons, citizens are often far more disturbed than journalists over such practices as the use of hidden cameras, bogus identities de liberate lying and deception o part of reporters, and failure to prom ptly report known information In this case the Pioneer Press investigative journalists went to great lengths to keep the investigation secret and to keep the star witness, Jan Gange Hoff, out of public view. They even kept other staff members on the paper in the dark. Were they justified? What principles can guide journalists in deciding when to use secrecy to promote a more open society? 2. One citizen proclaimed that it's high time the media ceased being the se If-appointed watchdogs of society. Editor Lundy replied: In fact thats our job, a role that i set forth and protected in the Constitution Does the citizen have a ca se? By what constitutional interpretation does one read the word watch-dog' into the First Amendment? Are there dangers, as the citizen implied, in the press assuming the powers of the watchdog? 3. Did the paper present its findings in the proper way? should it have explained its methods and purposes up front? Why didn t its editors correctly anticipate and understand the reaction of the university and the community? What is your reaction to doing a follow-up article the next day to explain the motives of the newspaper? Should the motto of journalistic organizations be: Never explain, never apologize? Competition There is a nagging suspicion that this story was ke pt secret largely to enable the Pioneer Press to scoop the competition How much did the desire to make the story " Sid Proof contribute to the investigative and reportorial methods used Is this case did competition promote the public good? Teaching Plan The professor m ay wish to divide the lesson plan into two parts: A. Questions of the publics right to know and the question of timing regarding both the development of the story and the story's im plications B. Other influences on professional judgment. These would include:Ethics of Investigative Journalism 1. Journalism arose as a protest against the conduct of public affairs in secret. Journalism should have as a motto "make the world transparent." Therefore, whenever journalists violate openness, whenever they engage in secrecy, maintain a veil over the conduct of affairs, they contradict their own first principles. For such reasons, citizens are often far more disturbed than journalists over such practices as the use of hidden cameras, bogus identities, deliberate lying and deception on the part of reporters, and failure to promptly report known information. In this case the Pioneer Press investigative journalists went to great lengths to keep the investigation secret and to keep the star witness, Jan Gangelhoff, out of public view. They even kept other staff members on the paper in the dark. Were they justified? What principles can guide journalists in deciding when to use secrecy to promote a more open society? 2. One citizen proclaimed that it's high time the media ceased being "the self-appointed watchdogs of society." Editor Lundy replied: "In fact, that's our job," a role that is set forth and protected in the Constitution. Does the citizen have a case? By what constitutional interpretation does one read the word 'watch-dog' into the First Amendment? Are there dangers, as the citizen implied, in the press assuming the powers of the watchdog? 3. Did the paper present its findings in the proper way? Should it have explained its methods and purposes up front? Why didn't its editors correctly anticipate and understand the reaction of the university and the community? What is your reaction to doing a follow-up article the next day to explain the motives of the newspaper? Should the motto of journalistic organizations be: Never explain, never apologize? Competition There is a nagging suspicion that this story was kept secret largely to enable the Pioneer Press to scoop the competition. How much did the desire to make the story "Sid Proof" contribute to the investigative and reportorial methods used? Is this case did competition promote the public good? Teaching Plan The professor may wish to divide the lesson plan into two parts: A. Questions of the public's right to know and the question of timing, regarding both the development of the story and the story's implications. B. Other influences on professional judgment. These would include: