Failed Ethics in Journalism

Ace Vee

Any proper journalist needs to have an adequate set of ethics and values. Having good ethics means someone knowing what is right and wrong. Whether that is in your everyday life or journalism. And in journalism there are a lot of ethical dilemmas one might have to consider or be introduced to. Another point to add is for individuals to deem a correspondent or a news outlet reliable. Is by them having consistency in the trustworthiness of their articles including their sources, quotes and places, while providing more unbiased and ethically sound stories as possible. However, some reporters in the media have been known to spice up the journalism world by not having these sets of moral standards. Failed morals in the world has been a prevalent thing even more so in “unbiased” writers. Even going out of their way to fabricate stories, plagiarize other writers and make up sources.

Fictitious writers today and in the past have claimed themselves as world-renowned journalists. Spreading false claims and fictitious stories instead of the cold hard facts. How is the public supposed to take the word of reporters and news seriously if most organizations or people are downright lying to get an ounce of stardom. For instance, Stephen Glass, a former journalist who used to work for The New Republic, published vivid and raunchy stories. But most of his works were made up his sources, contacts, places and events. He compulsively lied to friends, family members and coworkers to cover the false claims made and lost a good amount of credibility. This scandal was not the only isolated incident of failed ethics; there are other cases involving more reporters like Jack Kelley.

According to NBC News, citing the Associated Press, former USA Today journalist Jack Kelley would partially create imaginary articles including events, quotes and people having at least eight major articles that are mostly fabricated. He was also caught stealing quotes and information from other publications. Violating the first journalist code of ethics “Seek the truth and make sure it’s the truth,” writes Scott A. Kuehn and James Andrew Lingwall in “The Basics of Media Writing: A Strategic Approach.” Undermines truth and accuracy by him, making most of his sources up along with false eyewitnesses. Not to mention his false dependability, using himself as an eyewitness for a bombing ruining not only his reputation but hindering USA Today and its staff. Once you lose your reputation, you lose your audience and credibility along with it. Kuehn and Lingwall note that once you lose credibility, your audience turns elsewhere to find a more
dependable source.