Sunday, October 14, 2007
What is Journalistic Responsibility?
Frank Sesno, a special correspondent and documentary producer for CNN, spoke at the Southern Methodist University's Rosine Smith Sammons Lecture in Media Ethics Wednesday. He addressed the issue of journalistic responsibility saying that every day journalists are faced with decisions about what to cover and what not to cover. Sesno recalled numerous personal predicaments he encountered throughout his career as a journalist.
For example, when Sesno was advised to be cautious with his portrayal of September 11th and troop deployement. Sensitive subject matter such as these require careful thought. What is a journalist's responsibility to report information to the public? In this case, Sesno said, "We will be sensitive to information...sensitive, but not necessarily not report it." Naturally the appropriate response varies by situation.
Journalistic responsibility entails more than what to report, it also includes how and when to report information. Another example Sesno mentioned was the case of the Duke lacrosse players. Reporting is a very competitive industry with pressures to have high ratings and be the first to break news. How do reporters balance these pressures with their responsibility to reader's/viewer's to provide accurate and informative information in a timely manner? It comes down to a language of live-we can only report what we are told, it is not confirmed, and it is constantly changing, said Sesno.
Sesno said 53% of people think the press is often inaccurate, 32% think journalists are immoral, and many think the press are biased. Sesno believed the answer to this problem can be addressed through accountability. He thinks organizations need to open themselves up to inform the public why they make they decisions they do.
Journalist's have a responsibility to the public, but ultimately it is up to journalists' discretion what to cover. However, I believe people would be more accepting and trusting of journalists if they were informed of the process behind what and how journalists go about their jobs. ¶ posted by Stephanie Lauren Kahan at 8:01 PM •
For example, when Sesno was advised to be cautious with his portrayal of September 11th and troop deployement. Sensitive subject matter such as these require careful thought. What is a journalist's responsibility to report information to the public? In this case, Sesno said, "We will be sensitive to information...sensitive, but not necessarily not report it." Naturally the appropriate response varies by situation.
Journalistic responsibility entails more than what to report, it also includes how and when to report information. Another example Sesno mentioned was the case of the Duke lacrosse players. Reporting is a very competitive industry with pressures to have high ratings and be the first to break news. How do reporters balance these pressures with their responsibility to reader's/viewer's to provide accurate and informative information in a timely manner? It comes down to a language of live-we can only report what we are told, it is not confirmed, and it is constantly changing, said Sesno.
Sesno said 53% of people think the press is often inaccurate, 32% think journalists are immoral, and many think the press are biased. Sesno believed the answer to this problem can be addressed through accountability. He thinks organizations need to open themselves up to inform the public why they make they decisions they do.
Journalist's have a responsibility to the public, but ultimately it is up to journalists' discretion what to cover. However, I believe people would be more accepting and trusting of journalists if they were informed of the process behind what and how journalists go about their jobs. ¶ posted by Stephanie Lauren Kahan at 8:01 PM •
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Good post.
Good synopsis and great examples.
I'm curious what your notion of what "the public" is? We often speak about our "duty to the public" but rarely define what we think "the public" is.
What's the definition? What're the boundaries? How do different views of the public change how we perceive the process of news?
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Good synopsis and great examples.
I'm curious what your notion of what "the public" is? We often speak about our "duty to the public" but rarely define what we think "the public" is.
What's the definition? What're the boundaries? How do different views of the public change how we perceive the process of news?
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