It's a Question of Ethics

Hi all,

First a correction to my last post. No bench warrent was issued. It was a miscommunication between the sheriff's department and us.

I was watching the movie "Mad City" the other day, and although portions were definately exaggerated (an intern getting a network gig that quick--ha!) but anyhow, it did bring up ethical questions we news people that a lot of people outside of news don't know.

First, save a person from danger first, and make sure they are safe--than get video. If ytou can do both at once do so. But the persons well-being is your first priority.

The Fox News slogan for the entire country is "Fair and Balanced" news, which means cover all sides and state all opinions. I do hear critism and praise about the network coverage, but as for our local coverage, we have been trying to adhear to it as much as possible. And since our new news director came in, it has been a lot better.

There is a limit that we here at the station can show and say to the public. We try to be respectful and not to judge people on our newscasts. As much as you see in movie and tv, the difference between tabloid journalism and us is that and that we make sure to have crediable sources in our news, plus opinions from the public. But it seems a certain station here hasn't had much decession when it came to the Andrews' murder case.

You can read the story at http://www.nbc2.com/showscripts/060209_NBC11pm.htm#GATEWAY

They went to explicit detail on the case that may have embarrassed the victims' and was not prudent to the viewers. Plus they may have screwed up the justice process, as mental illness was mentioned--leaving an insanity plea open. Plus this kind of coverage may have given the defence for a possible change of venue.

From what we heard from the district attorney, off the record, she was angry at the way the story was covered and doesn't blame us for another tv station's coverage of the story. But there is a limit that we adhear to here. Feel free to ask, and I can tell you what we will and won't do.

It doesn't mean we don't tee off public officials from time to time. One of the Public relation officers wasn't happy with our coverage of a suspected police beating of an African American man we did last night. We did both sides of the story and they weren't happy about the way they were represented. We were fair from my prespective and the police has basically denied that there is a problem with the police and minorities. To be fair, I posted the story here:

http://www.geocities.com/pushbenoit/4story.html

Sorry to rant--next post will be more personal. Laters.

-MarQ