| Chapter 6
Journalism
Ethics: Issues
By
David Krajicek
Here is a review of some of the fundamental issues of crime journalism
ethics, with links to related stories and resources.
- What should we cover? Do we give readers and viewers what they
demand, or do they merely eat what we feed them?
- Who counts?
- How does your news operation choose its crime stories?
Are decisions based upon socio-economics, race, gender or
celebrity? Does geography play a role? Will a homicide in
a gated suburb get more play than one in a "transitional"
neighborhood?
- Why does a child abduction in an affluent suburb rate higher
on the news agenda than others?
http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jun02/51305.asp
- Suspect Descriptions
- Knocking on Doors
- Tone and Taste
- Weighing the Rights of Victims and Suspects
- Sexual Assault
- When are suicides legitimate stories?
- As a reporter, are you compelled to explain the potential ramifications
when a juvenile or feeble-minded person consents to an interview?
- Are some stories so important that journalists should use masquerades
or even break laws?
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