<center>Decisions of a Newspaper Editor
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1STUaJIpmKNibSiOe-4EQcW83WBmd1E2hz-JOdAv1Cfr_jc5Hng" width="400" height "250" </img>
By Paige Parise
[[Start->Introduction]]
</center>Beep beep beep…
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src="data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBxAQEBAPEBIQEA8QDxAPDw8QDw8PDw4PFREWFhURFRUYHSggGBolGxUVITEhJSkrLi4uFx8zODMtNygtLisBCgoKDg0OFxAQGi0dHR0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tKy0tLS0tKysrKy0tLSsrLS0tLS0tKystLS0tLS0tK//AABEIALcBFAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAbAAABBQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAUGB//EAD0QAAEDAgQDBgMGBQQCAwAAAAEAAgMEEQUSITFBUWEGEyJxgZEyQqEUI1JyscEzYoLR8BVDovGS4QdTo//EABkBAAMBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEBf/EACERAQEBAAMAAgIDAQAAAAAAAAABEQISITFBAxMiUWFx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwD0FIhC0SEISIAKq1CslVqhAUnqB6neoHrOqiO6eXmyjKdwUqZtYy6koaeyWbdW6ULm5fLfjfFhjVOwqMKeNq04eVHMoKLp+VLlW3ZliO6LqTIjIjsMR3SXUuRIWI0YjujMhybdHYZTsyMybdF0doMp+ZGZMzIzI7QZUmYpc5UWdLnT7QYlzlLnKizIzo0sTZylzlQCQJwenoxL3hWXjWKd0wnkFdllABK887Y4jmd3YPmjRjJr8UklkL7kX0AB4JFViZohTqur3ZIhC1ZhCEiAFWqFZVaoQFJ6gep3qB6zqoiKdwSxtuVcEGiUmnaxpt1bpVBXMsVNSLm5eVvx+FpTMcogFOWBgzSPZE07GRwF/IbquMt+C5WT5KHozqJ1ZTjZ0z+sdLO9vuAoXYhB+KZg5yU07B7ltlfTkjvxXO8SiRVoJWSC8b2SDmxwdbztspe7KM5HvFL3ia+TRN7spskJIRnItipNU6pomKV1ASbqT7Eov4+S5z4oxKl71SCjThRlH6+Y78UIkKka1x4K1BRWV5lOFfH8V+08vyT6ZQhclEDlsiEJ3dBX+qI/ZWN3Lkx8L1t90EdyE/1QfsrAbE/kpQxy2DCFQrgWgkBL9Q/Y53tDX90w+S82nqTI8uPErpe11dmuweq5Wmbd3qiTButukp/CEi0KRngCEm8x6mkQhbuQIQhACr1CnUE6AoPUD1PIq71nVQ6n3Wm3ZZUB1Wow6KuBcmNie6WkKMSFylp22tsdAbg3BC5fyT+To4XxYjeTcjTXK11gbEfE6x4i4A9eSuUtMwHNa7ju93ief6jqqUDbNYOYLz/U8laED1twvuMuU81YyoypveJDKtmaliGERy+MfdTD4Jo/DI09T8w6HRPwuZz2WkAErCWSW2LhxHQix9VYdOFlRVjW1bmDUTMD8w1a2RumV3IkWt5JBs5QjKFVNVra2w1PJKahPYFnKEWCqfaVPDco0JQxSCNOY1OQDQFK1REp7HIALrID0krVVcSEEuZkuZUWTqdj0BLnQ+IOVaV9ipYpkBh432WhqL5hZ34m6FcZWdh5ojmjdnHJwsfdesAqN7Qd0rJTlseURwSsGVzHgj+UlC9QdRsPAIU9P9a/t/wJEIVsQhIhAKoJ1MoZ0BnyKB6nkVd6zq4Y11irLanRUnFAKUqsR1rs2h2OipYfi8ceaI/evjcWta1wvbe7nahrevsCoMXxhkNwLFw36LiK2taXF4a1pJJNha5JvfqnPx57SvPfI6msxrK95dIZAS42b4GjSzABroAANdTzVak7SPbbKXaG5N9/Rck+QnXU3WxSvk+zmNpbZ7g5wDQXEjQDNvbotZjOyx6HhuN98wWGZ1r72BCfW4q+JjpJO6jY3qSsvsrhEkUeeTwucPBGd2N5u6nkrnaDCW1UDonOyahzXHYOGyi33xUnjhsY7SyzXIcQ29ha4Cx4q54Phe4XNzZxuTzKSrwqWJ7o3ZDY7iRlj1te6quo3jgD5EFP0vHW9ncandI2MzMaHfNOSGergCQupw7GmSuMZIbIDawddrurTxC8ojmfGb/Rw3WnBiYJzAZHgehPRPyz0ssvj2Smg4laEVgsXshXGejikf8AHYtcedja61M2qXwa9dMuos6A5MHyKFs2qmJuFUlZqgmgx9wmyMVKOQhWmS3CAovFip2v2RM26gKAsTtuLhVmyWKtQv4FR1dPxCAnp6hTvKx4pCCtGGW4QEneIUT90JgqEJEgVCRCYKoZtlKoptkBnSKu9WJd1WesquIXKOV5DXEbhpI87J7kOFgSRccVMXm+PKcTqC95JJOt9SdNVSLrnVdNiWBZpHFj2BrnHIPEXm/C1v3Vyi7M07LGUmV29r5YwfIan1K0k1HL+PlctTU8krrNBIuG3OjGk7An0XaYJTNpNXEPkHEg5WHoLfX9Fk9osWia37PC0AtIJyBrWtcNhe19OQWV9qlm8UriWj4WDRpPOw3Tz0t+3X4j2we24iydX2uB5X3WPFR19d4/GWH/AHZnZIyP5RxHkLLe7NdlL5Z6kZnHxRwH4Y+snN3Th+nYuiygnkL2HK3NHx8Fbb8vP4+xD7eOoHkxmnuT+yhqOx0jdWTn+pmn0K9DuMzW2IDrgb6Wvv52TKmnHubevmEqJXktdh9RD/EYJGcXN8Q9eI9Qs/uQ/wDhmxPykgfVeo1dKRvvxNrD2XJ43gA1khGWQauYNneXIqe/1VY9A7G4dJBRxxS27zUmxuACdBfjpZapjIK8+7C9qi0ilnPh2jcd2H8B6fovRY5QVYMzpzXJ5YCjukFhMyY9ycWFRlpRpYaUNcVI1qcGhAw1JlRIbKLvEaFhrVLwVTvk+OdMIKiE3uE6B5CtEhMyhBFBQjKhAPQkQmCpEIQAo5dk9Ml2QGbNuq0hVibdVnlZVcRDdaDY25SXWDQCSTsBzWYXW1WPjmKuLRCNO8NnfkGrvfQeqONm4q8bm/0qOmaXvkaLBxIjH4Y+Hqd0yWoOtlVkmVaSoW3kY3bdrnGwOMha697+K67vsLgnfP8AtDh93EcsPIyDd/W2w635LmHl0jg1oGYlsbB/O82H7L2HC4I6aJlO2/3bGg2Gp0JLuvwlQdqSSLLm1P8ADLhbm06/qFcfCC0jmCPcJcjXWOh8JAPDKU8C2g2SJl1EVjE4uJvM1pFgBsR5/wDanrKc5dNbOafZwKrYq+zIzyqY/wBStYp34DHqYA4a/wDSwKyK2ml+BvvzC62rgBB6g3sueqoQWucAQc17uaRwGyzsXK887QU2V4mZpc2eBz5rsuzGPGSJuY3c2zXczyKxMZgvccHj6rG7N1BjmyHY3YfPh/nVV9L4X163BXgq5HPdcdDUELTpq7ZKc2nL8TpM11A99iq8FRdSzOuFTPLAZrJraoKrLIsyreRqFOqkdGJAVG+IFczFiDmq7Di/NHY7wajoOqj7pw2TY8QaU/7QE9T0Stc7ipBIoBMEplCep6rQkCFWEqEaXVcSISK0FQkQgFUcuyemSbIDMn3VWRWajdVJCs+S4hcdVyvaCdoqSB8kTQPzO1P0sumkK4fGnXqZvzNH/AKYq/CF811E56jcUl1WpbfYunEtdAODDJMf6G2b9S1eoyRO70PAuAwA6gA/Fp/yv6Lzr/44LRUyPcbBlI4k8h3jb/ovTYpA4XHkbggg8iDsqRTqdmVjW3vla1t+dhZSXTUJBj4z/Bcfwzwn/wDRo/dbS43HsXeJHQtAyOf4rj8LtLerbrqsNq++jbJbLe4I6g2VWWRMvqwVm4jGBvs5allVroszSANbG22/9lKnD4tSEjjcFcTWM7uoJ8nex/8AS9MxCIWcvP8AtGy1Q3qxPPBvrfgqFejlWNAPC38o/RWGOIXL8PRdDSVVlpmr0uuVjqFpxd4W6Nd7KpyqOXGLtRUggFVJnghU6kSDdrh6FQNnKfa/aes+kjxYpzG3URfdDXo0YncxzdQkbWOCkjnB0KhqI+IVf8LVhmIqb/UFivFkzOl2GOibXjmhc93hQn2Lq9FQkQt3KEJEIBUyROTXoDLqd1TkKvVETidAVD9ieeCz5LjNlK4rHIyKiQ8wx3/ED9l6P/pLjubLlu2mF9yYpd2vvE48nDxN+mb2UyKtciWlNLSpnyAKIy9E0uh7AWNQ+M3GemlYLb5mva4W9j7L06jYfG4/O4OHhLfkaNjtqCvHuzdcIauGU6ASjN+R4yu/Ur2SSYNtxJBIAtqALkq0X5ThBSNPFQ1kwaxx6JBix0Ec9QczQWsbmd1JOgXRRsDQAAAALAAWAWT2cYe7dK7eV5cPyjQfutZPl/RQ5RueL5eNrp11XmbY5r8CN+JskHPYs6wd5rz/ABp2ao/Kxdti77m2m5JtsuBkfnlkeNbusPIKt8Oe1uMdYAcgAp4AXmzRcrNpGOcdbgLsMHlhibtqueTXZeeTxLheFtbZz9T1W/G5o4BZprmFK2qHNa8bI5+W32tXwHcBV58Ohfu0eyrsqhzU7agc1flR7GPXdneMRt0OoWLPTyR/G0jruF2wqAmSOa7QgFRfxytJ+Wz5cO2VP70rdrsBY+7meB3Tb2WHV4bPFu3MObf7LO8eUaTnxppcopGKAz20Nx56FHfqdWchN7wFCA9LslylSoXRrkxHkSiNPQjQiLEmUqW6LpaFZwITC8/4FbJSGyRqLnO6rLx/DjUwPi+YjMwnhI3Vp/b1W+SOiaXt5hGG8LkBDixwLXtJa5p0IcDYhMsvQ+23ZxryayFuZwH37G7uAGkjRxIG44ge/CGLiNjxSsCs4f2/t/nVer9mMRFbSxZhnfEckrSbOJDCA4Hhe4PvyXlr2q/2Zxl1JNnGrHeGRvFzb6EfzDceo2KrjS5TXs8IIa0E3IaATzNt1QxEiYOijc0u2flc0lgLspJ6gXU1FXslY2Rjg5jvheNAehHynoU+AfeSaWaAxo0sDoSSPceyELETA1oaNGtAAHIAJ91WrXENBFrZ2Zr6jKXAG6dTP8OthYubpoLNcQCPQIBJHkOB1LTZtriwJ42TKiTc8AL+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You wake up to the sound of your alarm early Monday morning. After dragging yourself out of bed, you grab some breakfast, put on your business casual attire, and [[head to your office->About You]].You’re the head editor at the //Pennville Gazette//, one of the major local newspapers in your city.
<center><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6033/6277209256_934f20da10_b.jpg" width="400" height "250" </img></center>
You graduated with a degree in [[Journalism]] and worked as a writer for many years. After finally landing a steady job with the //Pennville Gazette//, you worked your way up from a staff writer to a section editor, and finally to Editor-in-Chief.
Among your duties are:
<ul>Editing articles
Approving final layout and design for print publications
Deciding which content gets published
Overseeing your section editors and editorial board
Drawing up budget proposals
Meeting with your publisher regularly to discuss business</ul>
[[Next ->Lies]] About Journalism
Journalism is defined as “the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information. It is also the product of these activities” (American Press Institute).
[[Read more->Journalism2]]
[[Go Back ->About You]] About Journalism
In the United States of America, journalists are protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution which was passed by Congress in 1789 and ratified in 1791. In regards to journalism, the First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press” (Constitution Center). This prevents the government from taking legal action against journalists for what they say or write, except in extremely particular circumstances.
[[Read More -> Journalism3]]
[[Go Back ->About You]] About Journalism
Journalism has undergone changes throughout its history, but today, journalists strive to provide information to the public objectively. This technique allows citizens to make decisions for themselves about their societies, instead of the journalists exercising influence over them.
[[Go Back ->About You]] Some time passes after the accusations against Representative Delevin.
One of your senior staff writers, Jenna, approaches you about a story she is considering to write. She says that Representative Delevin is using money from the city's budget for personal expenses.
"Where did you get this information?" you ask.
"It's one of his coworkers," she tells you. "But in order to publish the story, the coworker asked to remain anonymous so he doesn't lose his job."
<center><img src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/10/09/17/27/top-secret-1726360_960_720.jpg" width="300" height "450" </img></center>
[[Next->Anonymous 2]]"Using an anonymous source is risky," you say. "It could have a lot of negative effects on our newspaper's reputation."
"I know," Jenna responds. "But this guy knows what he's talking about. He said it's alright if this is the only time we want to publish something, but he's also willing to continue working with us and giving us information, as long as he remains anonymous."
[[Next->Anonymous 3]]Your writer tells you the identity of the anonymous source, who is indeed someone who works closely with Representative Delevin. You now face the decision of whether to publish the article with the anonymous source quoted.
First of all, do you want to publish the article at all?
[[Yes, I'm weighing my options for how to publish it.->Anonymous 5]]
[[No, I don't think it's a good idea to quote an anonymous source.->Anonymous 4.1]]"Okay, we can publish the article," you tell Jenna. "But this is the only time I want anything to do with this source or story."
[[Next->Anonymous 6.2]]After publishing the article, lots of people are talking about the story. Many criticize you for the decision to use an anonymous source, but you publicly defend your decision.
A few weeks pass by, and things seem to return to normal. You momentarily experienced some controversy, but you do not lose many readers.
[[Next->Anonymous 6.3]]Unfortunately, while your reputation remains intact, other newspapers pick up on the story. After some time, the anonymous source speaks to other journalists.
It turns out that the source was right. Eventually, Representative Delevin comes forward and admits he has been using the city's money for himself.
Although things are running smoothly for your paper, you wonder if your reputation would have become stronger had you continued to investigate.
[[Next->NYT]]"Okay, we can publish the article," you tell your writer. "If you trust this source, then I think you should continue to work with him on the story."
[[Next->Anonymous 7.2]]After publishing the article, lots of people are talking about the story. Many criticize you for the decision to use an anonymous source, but you publicly defend your decision.
Your writer brings you another article with the source a few weeks later, and you decide to publish it. This continues for months, and you lose a significant amount of readers. You wonder how you're going to attempt to rebuild the reputation of your newspaper.
[[Next->Anonymous 7.3]]It turns out that the source was right. More coworkers come forward about the allegations, and some even admit to aiding Representative Delevin. A few people in the office resign, and the scandal turns out to be bigger than initially anticipated.
Eventually, Delevin comes forward and admits he has been using the city's money for himself.
People slowly begin to trust your newspaper again, but many still believe you're out to get those in power. After watching how bleak things became before the scandal was public, you understand how risky trusting an anonymous source is.
[[Next->Watergate]]You arrive at your office and begin checking your emails. One message in particular stands out, with the subject line "False Information In One Of Your Articles".
<center><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Computer_keyboard.png" width="400" height "250" </img></center>
[[Next ->Lies 2]] The email reads,
"Dear Editor,
I am writing about false information that was printed in one of your articles. In the story about the protest that took place over the weekend in Pennville, your writer, Alex Rezik, said that the mayor of Pennville spoke out against the protestors at the event. As one of the organizers of the protest, I can confirm that the mayor was not present and has not given any public statement about the protest. Although I think it's great that your paper is trying to cover events in our city, I would be cautious if you aren't sending your best staff. It seems like Mr. Rezik wasn't even at the event."
[[Next->Lies 3]]"What did you want to talk to me about?" Alex asks.
"I received a message that information in your article about the protest in the city was not true," you tell him. "Specifically, I confirmed that the mayor was not present and couldn't have made that statement against the protestors."
[[Next->Lies 5]]Alex's face immediately drops. He stutters for a few moments before finally telling the truth.
"Okay, so I didn't actually go to the protest," he admits. "I had other articles to finish before our deadline and another event to attend around the same time. I figured I could just pull information from other articles because everyone else went to the event, and my buddy John went. He must've lied about the mayor."
"Why didn't you verify that information with someone else?"
"I trusted my friend," Alex says. "Plus, I figured the mayor saying those things made the story more interesting."
[[Next->Lies 6]]"Alex, you understand how severe this is, right?" you ask. "Not only did you lie in your article, but now you're saying you might have plagarized? Plus, I know your friend, and he voted for a different candidate, so he's clearly biased against the mayor."
"I understand. I'm sorry."
You dismiss Alex from your office.
[[Next->Lies 7]]You check your organization's Facebook page and notice how many negative comments are posted on the article. After researching online and speaking to multiple sources, you confirm that the mayor was not at the protest.
After asking your Social Media Coordinator to post an apology statement, you call Alex into your office.
[[Next->Lies 4]]As criticism continues to roll in and your newspaper becomes engrossed in this controversy, you need to make a decision about Alex.
Although he made a huge mistake, Alex is also a newer addition to the news section of the staff and might just need additional training. However, you're worried that Alex will continue to make the same mistakes.
At the same time, you do not have a large staff. Firing Alex without an immediate replacement might hurt your newspaper's ability to cover stories.
You're also considering how the public will react to your decision about Alex, and how the newspaper's reputation will be affected.
[[Next->Lies 8]]What do you decide to do about Alex?
[[You fire Alex.->Lies 9.1]]
[[You do not fire Alex and keep him in his current position.->Lies 10.1]]
[[You do not fire Alex, but you take him out of the news section, essentially demoting him.->Lies 11.1]]Although it's difficult, you break the news to Alex that he will no longer be working for the company. He's visibly distraught by the news, but says he understands.
You issue a statement about the firing of Alex and how this decision was made because he went against the values of your newspaper. The public is overwhelming supportive of the decision, and the controversy subsides.
[[Next->Lies 9.2]] Unfortunately, even though you reestablished credibility with the public, you find that the newspaper is struggling to cover stories without a replacement for Alex. One person might not seem like a lot, but you miss the opportuntiy to cover multiple events because you're short one writer.
You post the job listing, but then you become busy reviewing applications and interviewing over the next few weeks, taking away from your other obligations.
Although you appeased the public and upheld the standards of your organization by firing Alex, you also missed opportunities to cover important events and took away time from your other tasks to search for his replacement.
[[Next->Stephen Glass]]Although Alex made a mistake, you don't think he should lose his job for it. You have a long conversation with Alex about journalism ethics and will pay more attention to his articles before they are published.
After inquiries from the public, you make a statement explaining your decision, but many people are unhappy with the decision to keep Alex. They believe he is untrustworthy, and your newspaper's reputation takes a hit. You also lose some readers because of this incidient.
[[Next->Lies 10.2]]Case Study: Stephen Glass
<img src="https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/1280x868/https%3A%2F%2Fblogs-images.forbes.com%2Fmichaelnoer%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F11%2F523-1940x1419111111.jpg" width="500" height "350" </img>
Image: Forbes.com
If a journalist makes up information, should he immediately lose his job? When the //New Republic// magazine found out one of their journalists had fabricated a story, that was the final straw.
Stephen Glass was a reporter for the //New Republic// magazine. In 1998, //Forbes// magazine challenged the accuracy of an article titled “Hack Heaven,” a story about a teenager who hacked a company and then was hired by the company. //Forbes// found no search engine results for the company, “Jukt Micronics,” a website that did not look professional, and that the company only had a single phone line.
[[Next->Stephen Glass 2]]With Alex still on the staff, you're able to cover more stories, including more significant events in the city. Despite still facing some backlash, your paper is acknowledged for its coverage.
At the same time, more of your time is now spent copy-editing and fact-checking Alex's articles. He's still irresponsible with citations and sources, and you're wondering if you will have to end up firing Alex at some point anyway.
Your newspaper is able to perform its daily functions well, but keeping Alex on staff was controversial with the public, and there's the possibility that Alex will make another major mistake.
[[Next->Jayson Blair]]Case Study: Stephen Glass
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Editor Chuck Lane then investigated and found out that Glass had fabricated the entire story, resulting in his firing of Glass.
After Glass was fired, the //New Republic// determined that 27 out of Glass’ 41 articles contained at least some fabricated material, from made-up quotes and incidents to entire stories.
[[Next->Scandal]]Case Study: Jayson Blair
<img src="https://cbsnews2.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2003/05/15/ce0ff7a7-a642-11e2-a3f0-029118418759/thumbnail/620x350/83c031a312a09c3fec7c15d6cf72f723/image554017x.jpg" width="450" height "600" </img>
Image: CBS News
Editors need to be responsible and hold their writers accountable, or else they could risk a situation getting out of hand.
Jayson Blair was a journalist for the //New York Times//. After completing an internship with the newspaper in 1998, Blair was hired as a reporter the next year, quickly working his way up the ranks. Many were surprised that Blair was the lead reporter for prominent stories at the age of 27.
In 2003, a reporter from the //San Antonio Express-News//, Macarena Hernandez, found similarities between an article she had written and an article written by Blair. Her editors contacted the //New York Times//, who decided to conduct an investigation.
[[Next->Jayson Blair 2]]Case Study: Jayson Blair
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Blair resigned from the paper shortly after the investigation began. The //New York Times// discovered dozens of articles where Blair plagiarized and fabricated information. Blair claimed he had traveled to various places and interviewed multiple sources for articles. Instead, he was mostly writing the stories from his apartment without conducting any interviews.
The revelations about Blair raised many questions, including how an organization such as the //New York Times// allowed this to happen. In the article that the //New York Times// posted in response to the scandal, the paper acknowledged that Blair’s editors did not ask him to verify sources and was flawed in that regard.
[[Next->Scandal]]Eventually, the controversy over Alex subsides, and business as usual continues.
A few months pass, and you're sitting at your desk. Many of your stories are focused on the upcoming election, which includes positions for new local district representatives.
<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2457/3695248492_b2763cfb03_b.jpg" width="400" height "250" </img>
One of these candidates, Bob Delevin, is predicted to win his election for representative.
[[Next->Scandal 2]]You call Alex into your office and explain that he will no longer be working in the news section. Instead, he'll be working for the home and lifestyle section.
Alex is clearly frustrated and disappointed at the move, but he agrees to stay.
[[Next->Lies 11.2]]Public reaction is mixed. Some people are accepting of the decision since Alex is no longer writing news, but others cancel their subscriptions because they don't think Alex is trustworthy at all.
With Alex's change in departments, your paper isn't able to cover as many events. However, Alex seems to be doing well in his new position, which creates more content for the lifestyle section. At the same time, you understand the need for news is more pressing, but you also can't afford to hire another writer, so you must make do with the current situation.
[[Next->Brian Williams]]Case Study: Brian Williams
<img src="http://www.msnbc.com/sites/msnbc/files/styles/ratio--2-3--367x551/public/brian-williams-bio-2016.jpg?itok=1B0aFrrG" width="350" height "500" </img>
Image: MSNBC
If a journalist makes a mistake, should he be fired, or given a second chance?
Brian Williams became the anchor of the NBC Nightly News in 2004. He was well-known for his work in broadcast journalism, even receiving the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2009.
In 2015, Williams told the story of how a military helicopter he was traveling on in Iraq was hit by an RPG. The story was quickly criticized by some of the people who were on the three helicopters, as another helicopter was hit, not Williams’.
[[Next->Brian Williams 2]]Case Study: Brian Williams
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Williams was suspended by //NBC News// for six months without pay because of his misrepresentation of the Iraq incident. After serving his suspension, Williams returned, but this time as an anchor on //MSNBC//. He currently hosts a nightly newscast on //MSNBC// called “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams.”
[[Next->Scandal]]You receive a phone call from a woman who went to college with Mr. Delevin. The woman, named Ally, says the two were on track to date, until Mr. Delevin attempted to sexually assault her at a party.
"I would be willing to go on the record to talk about this," Ally says. "He never got in trouble, but there were people at the party who knew what was going on and would talk to you as well."
[[Next->Scandal 3]]"Why are you coming forward with this information now?" you ask Ally.
"With the election coming up, I feel like people should know who they're actually voting for," Ally says. "They don't know who Bob truly is."
[[Next->Scandal 4]]The event occured about 20 years ago, which makes you wonder if this story is still newsworthy. You also wonder if Ally's request is simply an attack on Mr. Delevin, who is projected to win the election in just a few weeks.
At the same time, you understand that sexual assault accusations are a serious matter, and the public deserves to know information about political candidates. You also have sources provided by Ally who are also willing to speak to you.
[[Next->Scandal 5]]You decide to conduct an interview with Ally, but do you publish an article about the accusations against Mr. Delevin?
[[Yes, you publish the article about Mr. Delevin as soon as possible.->Scandal 6.1]]
[[No, you do not publish the article about Mr. Delevin.->Scandal 7.1]]
[[Wait, you need more time to decide.->Scandal 8.1]]After writing up your article, you try every form of communication to reach Mr. Delevin, but receive no response.
The article is published the next morning.
[[Next->Scandal 6.2]]After publication of the article, Mr. Delevin makes a statement acknowleding he made mistakes in his youth and is deeply regretful. Although the story causes some controversy, the election is largely unaffected because of Mr. Delevin's response.
People are highly critical of your decision to publish the article, and you lose some readers for it. Mr. Delevin also expressed disappointment in your organization for the story.
On the other hand, Mr. Delevin admitted the truth, so at least you did your part to inform the public of the truth.
[[Next->David Yu]]As you weigh your options, you find it intriguing that Representative Delevin is once again being accused of wrongdoing.
If the accusations are true, it could be a devastating blow for Representative Delevin's career after already facing the sexual assault allegations earlier in the year. Your paper might also be viewed as more credible if you break this story and it turns out to be true.
If the accusations are false, you run the risk of losing credibility and damaging your newspaper's reputation. You also worry about Representative Delevin's response against your paper if the allegations turn out to be false.
[[Next->Anonymous 4]]You decide you want to publish the article. How will you approach the situation?
[[You publish the article with the anonymous source, but only this once.->Anonymous 6.1]]
[[You publish the article and want to continue working with the anonymous source.->Anonymous 7.1]]"I'm sorry Jenna, but I just don't feel comfortable publishing this."
Jenna is visibly unhappy, but says she understands.
[[Next->Anonymous 4.2]]The anonymous source eventually goes to another newspaper, who does decide to break the story. However, this newspaper handled the situation poorly. Their article is full of inaccuracies, almost as if the writer took things out of context without verification.
As the weeks pass by, and controversy ensues, you're forced to cover the developing story anyway. It turns out that the source was right. More coworkers come forward about the allegations, and some even admit to aiding Representative Delevin. A few people in the office resign, and the scandal turns out to be bigger than initially anticipated.
Eventually, Representative Delevin comes forward and admits he has been using the city's money for himself.
[[Next->Anonymous 4.3]]Your paper doesn't experience any negative effects, but some are critcizing it for not originally running the story when you had the chance. Overall, your reputation wasn't hurt, but you think now that running the story could have improved it.
At the same time, although Jenna is a good reporter, you wonder if she too would have written an inaccurate article based on the confusing information from the source.
[[Next->Rolling Stone]]Case Study: Rolling Stone
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e0/A_Rape_on_Campus.jpg/300px-A_Rape_on_Campus.jpg" width="500" height "350" </img>
Image: Wikipedia
Sources should always be verified before going to publication, and that could have saved //Rolling Stone// from damaging its credibility.
In 2014, //Rolling Ston//e published an article by Sabrina Erdely about a group of students from the University of Virginia who gang raped a student only referred to as "Jackie" in the article to protect her identity. In this sense, the source remained slightly anonymous to the public.
The story generated attention from other news outlets, who investigated the claims made in the //Rolling Stone// article. They found significant discrepancies, stating that Jackie might have completely invented parts of the story.
[[Next-> Rolling Stone 2]]Case Study: New York Times
<img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/09/06/business/06OPED02/merlin_143321343_87580213-a48a-4e88-a45d-4dc25213ebbf-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" width="500" height "350" </img>
Image: New York Times
In September of 2018, the //New York Times// published an anonymous op-ed called "I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration." The article was claimed to be written by a senior official in the Trump administration, who the //New York Times// chose to keep anonymous for fearing of losing his or her job.
[[Next->NYT 2]]Case Study: Watergate
<img src="https://s.newsweek.com/sites/www.newsweek.com/files/styles/feature/public/2014/10/06/1010deepthroat11.jpg" width="500" height "350" </img>
Image: Newsweek
The most well-known anonymous source case occured decades ago with persistance from the //Washington Post//.
In June of 1972, //Washington Post// reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein covered a story about the arrest of five men who broke into the Democratic National Committee Headquarters. A few days later, Woodward met with a source known as "Deep Throat," who provided him with information about the Nixon administration.
In October, Woodward and Bernstein reported that the FBI made connections between aides of Nixon and the Watergate break-in. For about two years, Woodward and Bernstein continued filing stories about the Watergate scandal.
[[Next->Watergate 2]]You call Ally back to let her know you will not be publishing an article about the accusations. She says she understands.
[[Next->Scandal 7.2]]"I'm considering publishing an article, just not immediately," you tell Ally. "I need to verify more information before I post anything."
Ally says she understands, but after not hearing from you quickly enough, she ends up creating a social media post about her experience with Mr. Delevin, which goes viral.
[[Next->Scandal 8.2]]Case Study: David Yu
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/David_Wu%2C_official_portrait%2C_111th_Congress.jpg/220px-David_Wu%2C_official_portrait%2C_111th_Congress.jpg" width="300" height "450" </img>
Image: Wikipedia
If something occurs years in the past but resurfaces close to a significant event like an election, do you publish that information?
David Wu, a former member of the U.S. Congress, was up for re-election for his fourth term in 2004. The //Oregonian// pursued rumors that Wu had sexually assaulted his girlfriend 28 years before when they were both attending Stanford University.
Wu did not want to answer questions about the incident when the //Oregonian// asked him about it before the election. Wu's ex-girlfriend and officials at Stanford would not speak either.
[[Next->David Yu 2]]Another local newspaper ends up publishing the article with Ally's accusations. Mr. Delevin makes a statement acknowleding he made mistakes in his youth and is deeply regretful. You now have to write an article about the scandal anyway.
Although the situation causes some controversy, the election is largely unaffected because of Mr. Delevin's response, and he still wins the election. However, because Mr. Delevin told the truth, you still feel like you missed the opportunity to improve the credibility of your newspaper.
[[Next->Snowden ]]With Ally's story on social media, you end up writing an article anyway. You feel a little bit safer about this route, since your paper's reputation wasn't harmed by breaking the story.
Mr. Delevin makes a statement acknowleding he made mistakes in his youth and is deeply regretful. Although the situation causes some controversy, the election is largely unaffected because of Mr. Delevin's response, and he still wins the election.
Nevertheless, you still feel uncertain about not giving Ally a chance to speak through your paper. Journalists are supposed to minimize harm, so if her story is true, you weren't following that tenet of journalism strongly.
[[Next->Tim Murphy]]Case Study: Tim Murphy
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/113th_Congress_Official_Photo_of_Rep._Tim_Murphy_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-113th_Congress_Official_Photo_of_Rep._Tim_Murphy_%28cropped%29.jpg" width="300" height "450" </img>
Image: Wikipedia
Sometimes waiting for documented proof to use in a story is worth the wait.
Tim Murphy began serving as the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district in 2003. Murphy admitted to having an extramarital affair with Shannon Edwards in September of 2017.
Shortly after, in October, the //Pittsburgh Post-Gazette// reported about a text message from Edwards to Murphy that accused Murphy of persuading Edwards to get an abortion after a pregnancy scare, going against Murphy's public pro-life stance. The //Post-Gazette// also published a memo in the same article from Murphy's chief of staff that accused Murphy of harrassing his staff and erratic behavior.
[[Next->Tim Murphy 2]]Case Study: David Wu
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Citing various sources including the Stanford patrol commander, ex-girlfriend's counselor, professors who supervisored dorms and classmates, the //Oregonian// published the article to inform the public of the truth they believed to find out.
Wu held a press conference that day, saying he did something he regretted years ago, but did not think it was relevant. Despite the sudden media attention about the scandal, Wu still won the election. However, in 2011, he resigned from Congress following accusations from an 18-year-old woman about an unwanted sexual encounter.
[[Next->Anonymous]]Case Study: Tim Murphy
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The day after the //Post-Gazette// article was published, Murphy announced that he would not run for another term. However, the next day consisted of former staffers coming forward about the abusive environment in his office.
Facing an investigation by the House Ethics Committee and more stories from the press, Murphy resigned a few weeks later on October 21.
[[Next->Anonymous]]Case Study: Edward Snowden
<img src="https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_main_wide_580x384/public/field_image/web16-blog-snowden-1160x768.jpg?itok=XXy340sN" width="500" height "350" </img>
Source: ACLU
In certain situations, multiple journalists or news organizations will be informed of a large-scale story with massive repercussions.
Edward Snowden worked for the National Security Agency (NSA) in the United States. He collected secret documents that contained information about the NSA's surveillance practices which he found disturbing.
Rather than simply leaking all the documents online, Snowden reached out to multiple journalists and provided this information.
[[Next->Snowden 2]]Case Study: Edward Snowden
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Snowden made contact with the //Guardian// journalist Glenn Greenwald in 2012 and filmmaker Laura Poitras in 2013 after reading a //New York Times// article she wrote about an NSA whistleblower. He also made contact with //Washington Post// writer Barton Gellman in 2013, but he reappraoched Greenwald after the //Post// did not guarentee publication within 72 hours of all the slides exposing the PRISM electronic data mining program.
Snowden flew to Hong Kong in May 2013 and the first articles about the leaked documents were published on June 5, 2013, starting with the //Guardian//. Within a few months, documents had been obtained and published by multiple media outlets, including the //Guardian//, //Washington Post//, and //New York Times//.
Greenwald and Poitras won the George Polk Award for Outstanding Journalism in 2014. Currently, Snowden is living in Russia after being granted his right of asylum following charges from the U.S. government.
[[Next->Anonymous]]Case Study: Rolling Stone
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In January of 2015, Charlottesville police officials said they did not find any evidence to confirm the events in the article in their investigation. //Rolling Stone// retracted the article on April 5, 2015, and faced lawsuits from the university, fraternity and multiple members of the fraternity.
[[Next->Conclusion]]Case Study: New York Times
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President Trump criticized the //New York Times// for publishing the essay and the anonymous author for writing it. As of Dec. 4, 2018, the identity of the anonymous source is still unknown, and most discussion of the op-ed has faded.
[[Next->Conclusion]]Case Study: Watergate
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In January of 1973, the Watergate break-in trial began. Throughout the trial, the cover-up of the Nixon administration's involvement in Watergate began to unravel. In June, the //Washington Post// reported that White House counsel John Dean discussed the cover-up wth Nixon at least 35 times.
Nixon refused to turn over recordings of his White House conversations to the Senate investigation. The investigation continued to unravel, and facing impeachment, Nixon resigned from the presidency in August of 1974. 41 people received criminal convictions in the Watergate scandal.
In 2005, Mark Felt revealed himself as Deep Throat. Felt was the associate director of the FBI during the time he gave information to Woodward.
[[Next->Conclusion]]After the resignation of Representative Delevin, you sit at your desk and think for a moment.
Being the Editor-in-Chief of a newspaper is rarely an easy task, and you face difficult decisions every day. But as someone committed to the truth, you are more than content with the incredible job do every single day.
<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4099/4944526688_fc94cd8387_b.jpg" width="600" height "450" </img>
[[End->End]]<center>Thanks for playing!
Created by Paige Parise, Seton Hill University 2019
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