Archive
3 Aug

Rethinking journalism ethics, objectivity in the age of social media

<p><em>In today's rapidly changing media environment, many journalism schools are getting creative when it comes to teaching journalism -- and no subject is more tricky than ethics. J-Source contributing editor <strong>Stephen J.A. Ward </strong>asks: Whither objectivity? This article originally appeared on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/07/rethinking-journalism-ethics-objectivity-in-the-age-of-social-media208">PBS MediaShift</a>.</em></p>

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15 Feb

In your face: The ethics of opinion journalism

Journalists who add their own fierce opinions to political discourse have every right to do so, writes Stephen J.A. Ward, but it’s “deliberative” commentators who serve a democracy best. In […]

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14 Dec

“Let’s kill Julian Assange!” WikiLeaks and the power of patriotism

Last week, two prominent US columnists called for the death of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. This knee-jerk patriotism — that loving your country means not embarrassing your government — undermines […]

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21 Sep

Terry Jones syndrome: Guidelines for responsible news selection

The question “Should the media cover a little-known pastor’s Koran-burning plan?” has been widely debated. Stephen J.A. Ward asks a larger question: “How is news selected?” He offers guidelines to […]

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24 Aug

How to reveal secrets

Whistleblowing can afflict the comfortable, but can also do more harm than good, Stephen J.A. Ward writes. When will sites like WikiLeaks produce a code of ethics? Not long ago, […]

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23 Aug

Emotion in reporting: use and abuse

Reporters are not automatons, but emotion in journalism can be manipulated, writes Stephen J.A. Ward. When is expression of emotions self-promotion or self-congratulation and when is it true compassion? The […]

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23 Aug

Carrying a torch for ethics

With any other controversial story involving $2 billion in taxpayers’ money, journalists would fall over themselves to cultivate a critical approach, writes Stephen J.A. Ward. Why is it different with […]

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13 Apr

Dancing with the sheiks: Freedom in a global age

In the new “hybrid” globalized societies, such as Dubai, media freedom takes on hybrid forms. Stephen J.A. Ward speaks with James Piecowye, host of the emirate’s strictly monitored English-language radio […]

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15 Dec

How to avoid ethical snags in non-profit journalism

The line between funder and journalist is tough to honour, writes Stephen J.A. Ward.  But the right policies could make non-profit networks pioneers in media accountability. The nature of non-profit […]

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10 Nov

Covering suicide: do journalists exploit tragedy?

Suicides are often more than newsworthy, writes Stephen J.A. Ward, they challenge journalists to explore economic and social issues in their community. “Minimize harm” is the proper principle, not “do […]

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