You have probably noticed that most news programs and print media side with one side of politics or another. These so called reporters can no longer be considered as reporters due to their biases. Thankfully some have the moral aptitude to call them selves’ reporters to ensure that people know that they are giving opinion based on fact, not 100% fact with their own personal analysis. But what standards must a reporter follow to be truly ethical in reporting of fact. Let's review below.
They must be Historians: Yes that is correct, they must act like historians. They must collect information, put it into a time line of events, and then serve it up to the public. A reporter does not alter the facts of the information they collected, they just regurgitate it for their readers. Un-edited data is essential for people to have facts and then form their own opinions of the subject matter, whether it is health care to a murder trial.
Opinion is separate: Opinions of such reporters are allowed, but they are not commentators. When a reporter gives opinion it is only given with key words such as "I think that....", "from my perspective...." etc to show that it is separate. Others provide that opinion in the opinion column of the news paper or segment of a news report. Commentators on the other hand give opinion throughout an article or show which distinguishes them from reporters.
They don't give up sources: A reporter’s source is their life blood. Sources are people who provide information (inside information) about what goes on in a government, a group, a religious organization or anything in between. If the source is found, that person may suffer prosecution, expulsion or in some places death, thus at all costs a reporter keeps their source secret.
They don't hold back: When it comes to asking questions, a reporter does not hold back. They ask the hard questions to find the answers that they seek. If the person they are questioning does not answer the question, they ask it in several different ways to try and pry the answer from the person they are asking questions of. Sometimes they will ask the same question in a different way just to look for inconsistencies in the answer, as they cannot just accept a strait answer from the person.
They are respectful: A reporter, even when they are ambushing some one for an interview is respectful. They do not run up to a person and start berating them with questions, as they introduce themselves first and the news program they are representing. From there the interview begins (some times unwillingly) with questions asked in a polite and respectful tone. If the question is personal, then it is explained so as to not elicit a negative response that the reporter does not mean any offense when asking the question and it may be repeated several times for emphasis. Then the question is asked while providing context as much as possible without jeopardizing the reporters or the news paper/news outlet they represent, especially as they may want to have additional interviews with their subject.
Subjects may run away: While a reporter may give chase, the person being interviewed may end the interview at any time they wish. It is up to the reporter to decide if they should press their luck or not in an interview and if they can get away with a few more questions (even if those questions are uncomfortable).
Conclusion: As you know, I am a commentator on my blog. I give opinion based on fact and sometimes the analysis and opinion of others to see a situation from as many angles as possible. My particular blog is modeled after the Drudge report where information is taken from as many places as possible to show what I think is important or interesting. So I am not a reporter, especially as I am reliant on other media like "The Economist" or "Fox News" for information. From there I judge the information being given and check to see if that source/information is worth including whilst risking my reputation of giving opinion based on those facts. Ethics are essential to being a trusted name, as without ethics what good am I as a news source.
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