Group One – Ethical Issue Presentation Proposal

Nicole Germany, Lauren Richardson, Keilani Rodriguez, Cassie Vangellow and Carla Vianna 

Citizen Journalism and what the movement means for traditional journalism and professional journalists.

What is citizen journalism? The term is thrown around on a regular basis, often being assigned to members of the blogosphere and to those who hold journalists accountable for what they publish. According to Mashable, citizen journalism is the product of citizens “playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information.”

Citizen journalism goes by several names, including public, participatory and guerilla journalism. This movement has evolved since the early foundation of the United States was formed. In publishing the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison could be considered citizen journalists. Their articles provided information about the U.S. Constitution, so the public could evaluate this new governmental structure before making a decision.

In more recent times, the advent of technology has allowed for more citizen involvement. In 1991, a citizen recorded the beating of Rodney King on a home video camera. The world may never have learned of how brutal the beating was without this video evidence. Videos were also released during the turmoil in Egypt because of groups like Mosireen, a citizen journalism entity based in Cairo.

The transformation of the blogosphere has also impacted the growth of citizen journalism. In 1999, Pyra Labs released Blogger.com, a system that gave users the opportunity to do their own reporting and editing. At this point, people did not have to be employed at the New York Times in order to be heard.

In the United States, journalism is said to be “whatever journalists say it is.” However, we must think of the power journalism has. Journalism was a major contributor to the formation of democracies in Eastern Europe. Journalism has a role in building communities and encouraging discussion. The question is where do citizen journalists fit into this process?

There have been countless examples of quality citizen journalism. CNN launched iReport to involve citizen journalists in the conversation. In 2012, citizen journalists submitted more than 100,000 stories. Of these, 10,789 were fact-checked and broadcasted on the CNN network or featured on the website. This reporting included coverage of Superstorm Sandy and the situation after debilitating floods hit the Philippines.

However, there are drawbacks to this movement. In 2008, one citizen falsely reported that Steve Jobs had a heart attack. Who holds these citizens accountable when they publish inaccurate news? Without fact checkers and editors, information is broadcast to the public that can cause rumors and unnecessary panic.

Frédéric Filloux, a freelance writer and media consultant based in Paris, voiced some interesting thoughts about citizen journalism. He said, “Journalism is a profession; it comes with standards, techniques and a certain level of demand from the author and his/her editors.”

Filloux asks a series of thought-provoking questions, including would you allow a citizen neurosurgeon to remove your child’s neuroblastoma? People are quick to respond with a vehement no. While this question is extreme, it also makes you wonder whether citizens can do a job that professionals have pursued only after receiving degrees and training.

This raises the question of whether citizen journalists need a code of ethics. Code of ethics cannot be the be-all and end-all for citizen journalists looking to report in an ethical manner. A list of responsibilities and acceptable behavior will never cover every scenario. The code of ethics for the Society of Professional Journalists even contains ambiguity about revealing and withholding information.

On Jan. 17, a major development occurred with a decision by the 9^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This ruling establishes that the same protections extended to traditional media are available for citizen bloggers and Web journalists. According to Eugene Volokh, a UCLA law professor, “It makes clear that bloggers have the same First Amendment rights as professional journalists.”

With these recent developments, our group looks forward to investigating what this means for the future of citizen journalism. Do citizen journalists need a separate code of ethics? What would be included in this code of ethics? What effects will this court decision have on future acts of citizen journalism? Our group will attempt to answer these questions.

We plan to receive guidance from librarian April Hines about various research avenues to pursue.  In addition, we will contact Kelly McBride from the Poynter Institute. She served as the co-editor of The New Ethics of Journalism: Principles for the 21^st Century.

During our presentation, we hope to engage the audience by conducting polls using SurveyMonkey. This will include asking them about whether a code of ethics for citizen journalists is necessary at the beginning of the presentation and again at the end. It will be interesting to see if the results change. We will also include various examples of citizen journalism to show the range of quality and audience reach.

n.k.germany@ufl.edu

llrichardson@ufl.edu

keilanirodriguez@ufl.edu

cvangellow@ufl.edu

carlaognibeni@ufl.edu

Blog Essay Week 2

EJ Preface and Introduction

It is hard to comprehend all the changes journalism has gone through since this book was first released in 2001. As a senior journalism student, I can acknowledge my experience would have been extremely different without Google News, Twitter and WordPress.

The power of blogs cannot be underestimated. With the progression toward a “we media,” there are questions surrounding what constitutes a journalist. An October article from the Huffington Post created a potential framework for a definition. I think the most crucial point for determining whether someone’s work is journalism is if the author has contributed analysis or creativity.

When I was enrolled in law of mass communication, I learned an idea cannot be copyrighted, but the expression of that idea can be copyrighted. I cannot say I own the copyright to all stories about the Gainesville mayor. However, if I wrote a story investigating the mayor being charged with a DUI and what this means for our community, I could copyright this story. Adding insight and analysis should count for something because in our fast-paced world, people are often quick to regurgitate information and call it news.

A journalist is someone who provides news in an analytical or creative fashion to an audience. This profession requires accountability to readers and viewers. Journalists can enhance the communication between themselves and the audience by providing information about where they can be contacted, such as an email address. To be in this profession, journalists must be tenacious and dedicated to covering all aspects of a story. Journalists are communicators of fact, and they must do everything in their power to report in an objective manner.

In a world where we “hunger for awareness,” different media platforms are home to stories waiting to be discovered. I try to begin each morning watching “Good Morning America” because I like to start my day with an overview of what has taken place in the world around me. This knowledge allows me to discuss the issues of the day with my family and co-workers. My dad is a big fan of Governor Chris Christie, so it was interesting to hear his perspective on the traffic scandal.

ME Chapter One

As an indecisive person, I know making these ethical decisions will be difficult. It takes me 30 minutes to choose a movie on Netflix. Putting aside what is morally right or wrong, I am worried about selecting a choice that is good when there is a better or best solution out there.

As an intern at the UF Foundation, I have access to information that would be unethical to release. However, I have never been asked by a supervisor to do something unethical. I hope discussing these scenarios will help with my overall decision making for when I am put in these situations.

The distinction between ethics and morals is something I need to work on understanding. In my original definition of ethics for this course, I said ethics are based on a moral foundation.

Ethics pertain to duties and values. As journalists, we have a duty to report the news. Members of the audience hold us accountable for what we broadcast and write.

In addition to reporting on news that is timely and prominent, we also have a duty to obtain our material in an ethical and legal manner. How would it look if we obtained quotes and leads based on hacking people’s phones and computers? This behavior may be morally wrong, but it is also unethical because it is irrational behavior that is not widely agreed upon.

Upon learning about the various guidelines and principles for approaching an ethical dilemma, Bok’s Model seems to provide the most well rounded analysis. It takes into account how you personally feel about the action, whether there are other alternatives and also takes into consideration how others will respond.

United Way Case Study

The case study about the United Way introduces a lot of issues, including duty as a journalist to tell the truth, credibility of the news organization, implications for the relationship with a source, the possibility of irreversible damage to someone’s career and harm to the community. I look to the principle of utilitarianism that emphasizes the outcome. With this view, a decision may cause pain for one person but be the best decision for the larger group of people. Taking this into consideration, I would reveal the truth for why the executive director is departing. I would also include ways the United Way is preventing a situation like this from ever happening again. Quotes from board members reassuring the public about all the positive efforts being funded with donations would be essential. While I do feel guilty about possibly jeopardizing future employment options for the executive director, work at a nonprofit may not be the right place for him.

Case Study 1-A – Application of Bok’s Model and Five Guidelines for Making Ethical Decisions

Upon seeing this Pulitzer-Prize winning photo, I had a pit in my stomach that it ended in tragedy. I give credit to Stanley Forman for pursuing a different angle, but I also support his decision to not photograph the two girls following their fall.

Bok’s Model

How do you feel about the action?

I think more attention should be brought to fire escapes in Boston and whether they are durable and in working order. A picture is worth 1,000 words, and I think this photo could rally support to improve the safety of fire escapes so this never happens again.

Is there another professionally acceptable way to achieve the same goal that will not raise ethical issues?

An article could be written about the fire and tragedy without the photo. However, people may not pay as much attention. This photo shows the last few moments of a 19-year-old girl’s life. Words on a page may not be able to speak to the gravity of this tragedy.

How will others respond to the proposed act?

Some readers may criticize the paper for including a photo like this because it exhibits an imminent death. Others will applaud the news organization for bringing attention to an issue that has been affecting the oldest areas of the city. You can never make everyone happy, but I think publishing the photo would be the best course of action.

Aristotle’s Golden Mean

I am still struggling with understanding the Aristotelian framework, but I think publishing this photo lies between not wanting to include the photo for fear of reader outrage and including other more gruesome photos. Showcasing this heartbreaking photo lies at the mean of these two extremes that would be unacceptable. Again, I would publish the photo.

Kant’s Categorical Imperative

If I were to publish this photo, would I be okay with other news organizations doing the same? Putting aside the issue of competition, I think this image should be shared to spread awareness. However, Kant emphasizes treating individuals as an end and not as merely a means. It could be claimed that I would be publishing this photo as a means to lead a change in fire escape safety. Taking this into consideration, I would not publish the photo.

Utilitarianism

By releasing this photo, people in power would see how serious of a problem this is. Reform could be made so this never happens again. The greatest number of people would benefit by me publishing this photo. Considering utilitarianism and its emphasis on the outcome that benefits the largest group of people, I would publish the photo.

Pluralistic Theory of Value

I would consider the prima facie duties based on what seems to be right. I would consider a duty of not injuring others because publication could lead to preventative measures. This photo could cause additional pain for family and friends of the two girls, but I would also consider my duty to justice. By publishing this photo, their deaths would not be in vain. The duty proper must also be considered. Based on the circumstances and the attention that should be devoted to this problem, I would publish the photo

Communitarianism

As an individual I must consider how my decisions impact other members of my community. This guideline is critical of sensationalistic tactics because they might provide a false view of what is happening in the community. However, this photo would not be published with the sole aim of making money or attracting readers. The photo could be accompanied with contact information for local officials and details about fire escape safety. Publishing this photo could result in the community discovering this problem and determining a solution that leads to change.

Discussion Question

If your ethics differ from those of a company you are working for, do you complete the work they ask you to do?

The third scenario about the PR professional working with PharMedCo made me wonder what I would do. PharMedCo is withholding information that could result in injury or death to consumers. However, you are being paid to perform a particular task. As an employee, you could lose your job and ability to support your family. The pluralistic theory of value with the competing duties could be helpful in this situation.

Link to Ethical Issue of the Week

When Matt Sheehan brought up drones at the introductory meeting for members of the WUFT news team, I assumed he was joking. However, he showed a video of Weimer Hall recorded by the drone. The Federal Aviation Administration is taking a hard stance on the operation of drones for commercial purposes, including their use for journalism. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications and the University of Missouri School of Journalism received cease-and-desist letters in July. I am hoping Amazon can lead the way for other commercial entities flying drones. Drones have the power to change journalism across the world and even right here in our backyard at the UF College of Journalism and Communications.

Link to Ethical Issue of the Week

I have been following the heartbreaking story of Jahi McMath after she was pronounced dead following a tonsillectomy. Stories related to brain death and vegetative states have received a lot of coverage since the case of Terri Schiavo. These stories bring up a lot of emotions because people do not want to say goodbye to their loved ones, especially after tragic accidents. Until reading this article, I was unaware of the differences associated with a minimally conscious state, vegetative state, coma and brain death. McMath experienced brain death, where there is an “irreversible cessation of all activity in both the brain and the brain stem.” According to one doctor, her body will continue to break down. The Greeks said ethics “was the study of what is good, both for the individual and for society.” I think McMath should be removed from the ventilator because there is no chance for her to recover brain activity. It is unethical for medical professionals to pump air into a corpse at the emotional and financial expense of her family.

Questions from Dr. Rodgers – Vocabulary Terms

• Ethics vs. Morals: Ethics pertains to a rational process based on certain principles that are agreed upon by society as a whole. Morals are typically associated with religion with a focus on right and wrong.
• Aristotle’s Golden Mean: Virtue lies between extremes that vary for each individual. For example, generosity is located between the extremes of stinginess and wastefulness. This principle focuses on the actor.
• Kant’s Categorical Imperative: The two parts of this principle include a person should act as if the choices made could become universal law, and a person should act with an emphasis on the ends, not just the means. This principle focuses on the action not the particular actor involved.
• Utilitarianism: A desirable end for the greatest number. An act may hurt one person, but it may be the best decision for the larger group. There is an emphasis on the outcome.
• Pluralistic Theory of Value: Various values are involved in making ethical decisions. These types of duties include considerations of fidelity, reparation, gratitude, etc. Reaching a decision about actual duties must take into consideration what seems right and the specific circumstances.
• Communitarianism: Decisions are evaluated based on how they will influence greater society. This idea has been linked with the civic journalism movement.

Cassie Vangellow, cvangellow@ufl.edu