THE OBSTACLES THAT IMPEDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRAZIL IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA A...
Ethics of breaking news
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The Ethics
of Breaking News Online
ACP/CMA National College Media Convention
Orlando, Fla. | Oct. 27, 2011
Jill Van Wyke, Drake University | Des Moines, Iowa
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“The code of the SPJ was written
for the age of ‘finished product’ news,
whereas today’s news is all about real time.”
– Terry Heaton
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“The time we have to make decisions, and
the manner in which we execute those
decisions, has changed dramatically.”
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Photo by Advocacy Project, Flickr | Licensed through Creative Commons
Develop an ethics policy for handling breaking news
before you find yourself in the maelstrom
of a fast-moving story.
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“The absence of such a policy exposes news
organizations to unnecessary risk.…
Such a void increases the likelihood that
newsrooms will make the kind of mistake
that can undermine years
of earned credibility.”
– “Ethics and Credibility of Breaking News Online,” APME
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Readers…
recognize different levels of standards
for print and online
want those standards explained and
defended
distinguish between “information” and a
“news story”
understand that breaking news unfolds
incrementally
are forgiving of factual errors in a fast-
developing story, particularly when
Jens Schott Knudsen, Flickr
those errors are quickly acknowledged Licensed through Creative Commons
and corrected
are not, however, as forgiving of errors of
Source: APME Online Journalism
judgment. Credibility Project
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In other words…
Beopen and honest about your standards,
policies
Readers don’t demand perfection. They
demand accountability.
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Drafting your newsroom’s policy:
What to include
1. Overall statement to readers/viewers about your
newsroom’s role and purpose in a breaking-news
situation
2. Definition of “breaking news”
3. Procedures for editorial review
4. Standards for acceptable sources
5. Policies for publishing via social media
6. Corrections and clarifications
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1. An overall statement to readers about
your newsroom’s role and purpose in a
breaking-news situation
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2. Define “breaking news”
What stories warrant live coverage?
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3. Layers of editorial
review
Who has to approve
such coverage?
Will it be reviewed,
edited before
publication and, if so,
by whom? Vin Crosbie, Flickr
Licensed through Creative Commons
If coverage will be reviewed only in certain
situations, what will those situations be?
Who can update your site? Your Twitter feed?
Your Facebook page? A liveblog?
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4. Acceptable sources
How many sources must confirm before
you post breaking news?
What sources are “acceptable”?
Considered authoritative?
Is info learned via police scanner credible?
How will you handle anonymous sources?
What will you do with reader- or viewer-
generated information? Photos? Videos?
Process for verifying authenticity
15. + 5. Social media
Who can post news to your social media
sites?
What will you publish based on what you
learn on Twitter, Facebook?
What will you retweet or share?
Will it need editorial review?
16. + 6. Corrections and clarifications
How will they be handled?
How much will you disclose about how and
why the error was made?
Where will you run them?
Will you delete incorrect tweets, posts?
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Share this policy
with your staff and with your
readers/viewers.
Make it accessible on your website.
Link to it prominently when news breaks.
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Links
“Breaking News Without Breaking Trust,”
by Mitch Pugh, Sioux City Journal, APME
http://www.apme.com/?BreakingNews
“Journalists’ Code of Ethics: Time for an Update?”
by Steve Buttry
http://stevebuttry.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/journalists-
code-of-ethics-time-for-an-update/
“New Ethical Frontier: Breaking Cybernews”
by Jill Van Wyke
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/70464743?
access_key=key-24l3atiwuez39exvpfo6
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Contact info
Jill Van Wyke, assistant professor
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
(515) 271-3867
jill.vanwyke@drake.edu
twitter.com/jillvanwyke