Ethics in Journalism – Political Affiliation

This is Part 3 in a Multi-Part Series Examining Journalistic Ethics.

ALLIANCE – It is important for a reporter to understand any strong political affiliations they may have carry over into their work and the way people perceive that work. If a reporter holds a political office or position, it carries this perception – and possibly a true perception – to the publication for which the reporter is in employ.

Others may see this as a serious conflict of interest, which may further damage the reputation of the publication for which the reporter works. Strong political ties may make those of an opposing political view lose faith in the publication, as they feel the reporter in question will be extremely biased.

“Journalists must avoid behavior or activities – political, social or financial – that create a conflict of interest or compromise our ability to report the news fairly and accurately, uninfluenced by any person or action.”, the Associated Press Stylebook explains on the subject of a conflict of interest. “Nothing in this policy is intended to abridge any rights provided by the National Labor Relations Act.”

This is to say the policy is not intended to stop the reporter’s own personal right for free speech. The policy is a guideline, but the reporter must be ever mindful to not engage in political gatherings or events to which that reporter can become associated. If readers see a reporter attending a political rally in a non journalist capicity, they may develop a feeling of bias one way or the other.

A letter to the editor printed in the Alliance Times-Herald in Alliance, Neb.raised this very question The letter was in regard to the headline of one of the previously published articles.

“When I received Saturday’s paper with the ‘Governor Grilled about Healthcare in Town Hall’ article on the front page, I thought, “Wow! The governor must have really taken it in the teeth during his visit’” the author of the letter, Jeff Schneider begins.

Schneider continues, “Eleven long paragraphs into the article, I finally read about this “grilling,” if you want to call it that. Let’s just say that the title of the article did not match the content, nor the reality of what actually occurred at the town hall.”

“If I recall correctly, the last time the governor visited Alliance, I read in our paper about some disgruntled person berating the governor about spending taxpayer dollars to come visit Alliance.” Schneider states toward the end of his letter to the editor. “ Am I the only one concerned about the vice chair of the Box Butte Democratic Party covering the news and writing front page articles about our elected officials of the Republican party?”

“I find it a bit troubling. Is this not a major conflict of interest? Can I expect an unbiased approach to the news in the Alliance Times-Herald? I’d like to think so.” Schneider finishes his letter.

The individual to whom the letter refers is also mentioned in a previous article about journalistic ethics. In the reporter’s article, he refers to a movie by Leonardo DiCaprio and Fischer as if it were a given fact.

The movie “Before the Flood” provides statistics, but no indication of how the study was performed. Had the ATH reporter checked with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture or any other credible source of information prior to publishing the article, the results would be much different. The article and movie are propaganda tools in an attempt to get everyone worldwide to stop consuming beef.

Using a non-credible source of information allows the reporter to say most anything, and this allows the reporter to indoctrinate the readers with that reporter’s own political agenda and philosophy.

 

Source References upon Request.