I enjoyed learning about a variety of ethical issues facing journalists during the first round of presentations.
Group 6 – “Blood on our hands”
As soon as I saw the title for this group’s presentation, I was intrigued. Until watching this presentation, I had never heard of persistent sexual arousal syndrome. I remember one episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” where a woman could not control her constant orgasms, but I assumed this was a fictitious problem.
If I had seen this post on Craigslist, I would have likely attributed it to the crazy people out there who post about all kinds of nonsense. I must admit that I do not think I would have had the audacity to message the person to ask them whether I could pursue a story about them.
I was glad this group provided context about the situation, including reporter Leonora LaPeter Anton’s background. Anton worked at the Tampa Bay Times for more than 10 years, so it was evident this was not an issue pertaining to lack of experience.
As a journalist, I always look for situations where I can learn something. Gretchen Molannen’s story was heartbreaking and complex. While people might be quick to say this syndrome is a blessing in disguise, Molannen discussed its debilitating effects. Can you imagine going through a period of arousal while in a quiet movie theater or office? I can only imagine the anxiety associated with this.
We have learned journalism’s first loyalty is to citizens. As a citizen, Molannen deserved our loyalty. While I am not blaming Molannen’s suicide on Anton, the situation could have been handled better.
Journalists should go through a period of psychological training. This training could be beneficial for reporters because it would enable them to deal with sources who may be facing demons or issues journalists may know little about. At this point in time, I know very little to nothing about suicide prevention. If I were a reporter for this story, that information would have been extremely helpful.
When members of group six mentioned the inclusion of helpful resources for those with suicidal thoughts, I thought about the Journalism for Action article we read during week 13. Wouldn’t this type of work be what Alana Moceri was referring to when she called for journalism for action? After looking at this case study, I am much more open to these efforts because telling readers what they can do about something can actually make a difference.
Group 8 – Trial Reporting
I remember learning about the Sam Sheppard case during law of mass communication. After looking at the media frenzy, can we say much has changed since 1954?
I like how members of group 8 separated the trials into sensationalistic cases, cases that created a bias and those cases that resulted in overexposure. I agree how George Zimmerman and Aaron Hernandez were victims of sensationalistic cases. Even before these cases reached the courtroom, the media framed these defendants as guilty.
Hernandez’s case will likely not be held until spring or summer of 2015, but members of the public and potential jury members already have a skewed view of the defendant because of the media. The University of Florida was also quick to distance itself by removing Hernandez’s All-American brick in July of 2013.
With the case studies of Richard Jewell and Alex Rodriguez, we also saw how the media can create a bias. We watched that heartbreaking video at the start of the semester that focused on the handling of the Jewell case. It is troubling how the Atlanta Journal Constitution and other media outlets created a bias that prevented Jewell from receiving a fair trial.
The use of performance enhancing drugs and steroids are serious infractions, especially in the world of sports where athletes are celebrated for their prowess. However, even if Rodriguez did use these substances, about 196,000 results appear when I typed in Alex Rodriguez PED. Do you think you could get a fair trial with this bias surrounding your image?
Overexposure is another issue, but I do not think it is solely the media’s fault. As the group said, journalists do not control how much access they have to a particular trial. From their presentation, it seems like Jodi Arias and Casey Anthony were victims of this overexposure. What is the media’s responsibility in these types of situations? Should they devote extensive coverage to these defendants or does this behavior glamorize crime?
The group said it is a journalist’s duty to provide “truth in order to maintain an efficient and effective democracy.” Would tainting someone’s reputation be included in this role? I do not think so.
Group 5 – Ethics Online
Watching the Buzzfeed video about people’s privacy on social media made my day. I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. However, it does bring up the serious issue of people being so open on the Internet. If a few people with simple search queries can find all this information out, imagine what data companies and the government have access to.
Even as I say this, I am guilty of taking countless Buzzfeed quizzes. Of course, my favorite one is “Which Disney Princess are you?” In all honesty, it does not surprise me how these websites sell the data to outside companies. We freely put it out there, so why shouldn’t these companies utilize it?
When it comes to online privacy and the publication of mugshots, I have mixed feelings. I want to be aware of the crime in my area, and I also want people to be held accountable for their actions. I think they can also serve as deterrents for people who are considering doing something illegal whether this pertains to underage drinking, drugs or something more serious. As a prospective law student, I had to fill out sections on each application about any prior criminal history. Having a mug shot would have likely killed my chances of going to law school.
However, I also know people who have had their mugshots held “for ransom” by websites who charge exorbitant fees if someone wants the photos removed. I do not agree with these people’s actions that resulted in the arrest, but I think they will pay for their mistake. Is it fair for others to profit off of their misfortune?
I may not be someone who would purchase a copy of The Slammer, but I also cannot get enough of television about crime and prison. I watch “Locked Up” almost every Saturday night. While most people may not be as interested as I am, do you think people are attracted to crude and dangerous material?
I also think my curiosity contributes to me being a constant victim of clickbait. When I see an article like “Adult Kickball Team Email: Please Don’t Fuck Your Teammates Yet,” I know I will give into the inevitable and click on it.
As the spokesman for Buzzfeed said, this material is “anything anyone might actually want to read.” Is that really too hard for journalists to admit? If we all used a little more clickbait, maybe readership would not be on such a decline.
Group 2 – Anonymous Sources
Anonymous sources continue to be a contentious issue because some situations warrant them while others do not. No publication wants to have a Jayson Blair scenario on their hands, so I think many news organizations are wary about their use.
However, members of group 2 also acknowledged some of the positive work that has been completed as a result of anonymous sources. We likely never would have heard about Watergate without Deep Throat. It is not appropriate for every situation, but it can be useful for certain topics that require a light touch.
When it comes to making sure the news organization is covered, I like the idea of at least one editor knowing the identity of the anonymous source. Anonymous sources may have a lot to lose, but the credibility of a news organization could be on the line. The identity of the source would be protected, but an editor would have the journalist’s back, something I think can only help a story.
Group 1 – Citizen Journalism
This was my cohort group’s presentation. I enjoyed discussing critical junctures for citizen journalism, including the Rodney King beating in March 1991. I also liked hearing the opinions of class members about how they feel citizen journalism will mesh with professional journalism and traditional journalists.
Cassie Vangellow, cvangellow@ufl.edu
Vangellow, Cassie 