Page 272 - 2023 PPIAC RMIC BOOK

Ramifications of getting it wrong

2003, NYT and Jayson Blair 1981, WP and Janet Cooke
Blair was a New York Times star, a Cooke was an incredible write of
gifted writer with a flair that is considerable talent who came to the
generational. Washington Post by way of the Toledo
Blade.
The problem was it was all fabricated. Her narrative about and 8-year-old
None of the sources he claimed to have heroin addict named Jimmy was
interviewed existed. awarded the Pulitzer Prize.
He was fired, as were two top NYT She was fired, the newspaper was
disgraced and it eventually returned
editors, including those who ignored journalism’s highest accolade in an
warnings about the reporter. embarrassing admission of fault.

Undercover & surveillance

TV vs. Newspapers The ongoing debate Surveillance

Television has a long The ethics of undercover Surveilling is merely the
history of undercover reporting are not clear. regular technique of
investigative work because Public interest vs observation.
of the video it produces deception There is nothing illegal or
from hidden cameras. “As an undercover reporter dishonest about sitting
Newspapers have a long you must never encourage outside someone’s home,
history of avoiding – even anyone to say or do on a public street,
prohibiting – undercover anything they wouldn’t watching what they do.
work because of its have done if you were not Looking through their
there.”
inherent dishonesty. window, however, is a
completely different
matter.