2014 brought us the year of My Journalism Ethics. It was the year that “personalizing” journalism ethics went mainstream. Big time. Major journalism associations, from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) to the Online News …
Ward’s Words Column
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 March, Sun TV News, Canada’s newest all-news …
“Let’s kill Julian Assange!” WikiLeaks and the power of patriotism
A narrow patriotism — the psychological equivalent of a knee jerk — is an under-recognized force in modern journalism ethics. It distorts our thinking about the role of journalism as soon as journalists offend national …
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 help editors respond responsibly to a Terry Jones and a soon-to-follow host of copycats.
How to Reveal Secrets
Whistleblowing can afflict the comfortable, but can also do more harm than good, Stephen J.A. Wardwrites. When will sites like WikiLeaks produce a code of ethics?
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?
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 the Olympics?
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 talk show, about taboo topics and pushing the boundaries of a restricted press.
Covering Tragedy: Do Journalists Exploit Suicide?
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 no harm.”
Guidelines for Guidelines: Social Media Policies Spark Debate
Since everyone is on Twitter, we have to let journalists tweet away, unrestrained, writes Stephen J.A. Ward. But as newsrooms start to create editorial policies for social media, we need sober, nuanced, ethical thinking that takes the long view, not emotional arguments from social media enthusiasts.