Ariel Tung | Sept. 27, 2008
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| Photo by Ariel Tung |
| From left, former broadcaster Cheryl Jackson, Herald-Times editor Bob Zaltsberg and Hirons and Co. COO Jim Parham were panelists at an ethics discussion Friday. |
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Career Services Director Marcia Debnam arranged the panel for students in her J492 Media Internship class, but anyone was welcome to attend.
The three panelists were Bob Zaltsberg, editor of The Herald-Times; Cheryl Jackson, an adjunct lecturer in journalism and former WRTV-6 Indianapolis anchor and reporter; and Jim Parham, chief operating officer at Hirons and Co. Advertising and Public Relations in Bloomington.
Zaltsberg explained the code of professional conduct in the H-T newsroom. Journalists are expected to keep honesty at the back of their minds and are accountable for checks and balances in their stories.
“In reporting a story, always ask yourself, what potential harms in the story could be?” he advised. “The public’s perceptions are as good as our practices. Therefore, we seek not to manipulate the truth for our own gains.”
Parham said it is important for reporters to work with public relations companies in getting good contacts for their stories. However, he stressed that it is not ethical for a reporter to adapt their stories from press releases. Zaltsberg agreed by saying that contacts from a PR company should be the source in the stories, not viewpoints of a PR company.
Cheryl Jackson said it is important for journalists to learn how to separate opinions from facts. In her working experience, she tried not to let her personal opinions affect her stories. She warned that reporters who spun stories would get a reputation for it.
“Give people a chance to tell their stories. Sometimes, we listen to one side of the story and forget about the other side. Always tell both sides of the story,” Jackson said.
During the Q&A session, a student wanted to know what Zaltsberg thinks of reporters who compromised truthfulness by not investigating their stories thoroughly. Zaltsberg admitted this could happen, especially when reporting crime stories. Reporters tend to believe whatever they hear from the police officers, he said.
Zaltberg added that he once was personally affected by an ethical issue. A WRTV-6 reporter once recorded an interview with Zaltsberg without seeking his permission.
“Lawfully speaking, he did nothing wrong,” Zaltsberg said. “Indiana has a one-consent policy when it comes to audio recording. He did not have to seek my permission. However, ethically speaking, a reporter should inform the interviewee if any audio recording is taking place.”
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