Running head: THE ETHICAL DILEMMAS OF THE MODERN NEWSPAPER 1

The Ethical Dilemmas of the Modern Newspaper

Matt Clark

Gonzaga

Organizational Ethics

COML 503

Dr. Larry Chouinard

March 29, 2014

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The Ethical Dilemmas of the Modern Newspaper

The landscape of modern journalism has changed over the last few decades. Long rooted

in traditional research and investigative methodologies, the art of journalism has been

transformed to a “get it first” over the “get it right” mentality. Today, there exists three kinds of

newspapers. There are those good, intelligent, honest newspapers, morally pernicious and

intellectually contempt newspapers, and the colorless, indifferent, innocuous newspapers

(Yarros, 1922, p. 410). It has become common for newspapers — large and small — to commit

daily sins innumerable because of the desire to shield injustice and wrong-doing and to prevent

well-intentioned and reasonable people from learning the truth regarding iniquities of social

order (Yarros, 1922, p. 410). Competition, short staffing and pressures from sources can be the

root to any newspaper evil. In this paper, I will examine common ethical issues within the

newspaper world and look at the steps I take, as a manager, to solve these dilemmas.

The Ethical Problems

Ethical issues in newspapers are more common than the average person may realize.

Studies show most newspaper reporters are not aware of the exact scope of newspaper ethics

despite the fact many journalism organizations publish a code of ethics meant to be a guide for

writers, photographers and editors to follow. In fact, only a quarter of editors of daily newspapers

reported having an ethics standard posted for their journalists to examine (Anderson, 1987, p.

343). Of that, only 30 percent of editors at smaller publications reported distributing codes of

ethics to their staff (Anderson, 1987, p. 343). While there is not one particular ethical dilemma

that infiltrates the newsroom I supervise, one of the most common is the offering of gifts to

reporters for favorable treatment in stories. This can range from favors given by sources to free
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access to games, venues or events for reporters in the hopes of gaining favor. Some of the issues

I have either seen or been a party of include being given tickets to a movie premier by a county

official with the hopes of withholding a potentially damaging story about his political campaign

contributor list. Another includes an entire newsroom being given gifts during the Christmas

season by a local charity with the intent of favorable coverage and placement of their annual

fundraising event to attract more donors.

One of the most prevailing issues newsrooms face regards the line between advertising

and editorial. This line becomes blurred when advertising staff requests editorial content, either

favorable or potentially damaging, at the behest of an advertiser. An additional problem becomes

when the newsroom learns of facts surrounding a scandal with a large newspaper advertiser. At

times, the newsroom can be pressured into withholding the story or changing the scope of the

story so the advertiser is not likely to pull their advertising dollars from the newspaper. Other

ethical issues present themselves on a regular basis such as the temptation to write stories with

the hopes of winning awards rather than presenting the facts in an accurate fashion; or misuse the

position of a journalist to further their personal interests or desires (Anderson, 1987, p. 345).

These have come to light in newsrooms I have worked at when a reporter has a certain political

affiliation and chooses to advance the cause of their party by writing somewhat slanted articles

about those in power of a different political party.

The Decision-Making Process

Every situation in a newsroom can present varying ethical challenges and questions. It is

true there are different ethical guidelines written as outlines to practices in newsrooms but those
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don’t cover every situation and don’t take into account the differences in newsroom staffs from a

large, diverse newsroom to that of a smaller, more close-knit operation.

I have spent most of my career at smaller daily newspapers that present their own sets of

challenges. A significant challenge at a smaller newspaper is avoiding the alienation of sources

or advertisers while trying to maintain traditional journalistic integrity (Anderson, 1987, p. 345).

But, at the end of the day, our ethical decisions are rooted more in our personal beliefs and

experiences while newspaper ethics guides are used as a point of reference. Some editors use the

theory of egoism to base their ethical decisions on. This is the theory that actions are right if it

promotes the best interests of the individual (Shaw & Barry, 2007, p. 53). The problem with

basic journalistic ethical decisions on an egoism theory is that the self-interest that guides the

theory can often be the root of the ethical problem. A lot of smaller newspaper editors base

ethical decisions on the act utilitarianism theory which suggests the only moral obligation is that

of making everyone concerned happy (Shaw & Barry, 2007, p. 71).

I have found the most accurate depiction of ethical principle to use is that of the rule-

utilitarianism theory that prescribes the utilitarianism standard is applied to both individual

actions as well as moral codes (Shaw & Barry, 2007, p. 71). Richard Brand suggested rule

utilitarianism theorists believe correct actions are permitted by a moral code the journalism

society (Shaw & Barry, 2007, p. 71). In most ethical situations we have to balance the good of

the public for which we serve with the code of ethics we have learned and attempt to adhere to

on a daily basis.

Another corresponding factor is the leadership methodology of the editor in charge of

making the ethical decision. Some editors are more diplomats in a sense they attempt to smooth

over controversy and avoid conflict by stifling new and creative approaches to presenting news
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(Lichtenstein, Smith, & Torbert, 1995, p. 103). However, I along with other newsroom managers

attempt to be more of the achiever manager where our goal is to implement the organization’s

existing strategy and our success is measured by the success of the organization (Lichtenstein et

al., 1995, p. 105). To drill down further, we look past the strategy of the ownership organization

and gear more towards the goal of the individual newspaper. The achiever manager with that

mentality has to be of the belief that the best interest lies with the readers of the paper and not

solely on the bottom line of the finances of the property.

So, How Is It Done?

While there are codes of conduct and ethics for journalists that are widely published and

available to newsroom staff, as stated every situation presents a different set of challenges

regarding ethical situations. The differences between small-town editors and major metropolitan

editors are vast and the methods used to solve ethical dilemmas are different. Small-town

newspapers struggle with the delicate balance of exhibiting pride in the community while not

shying away from controversy (Anderson, 1987, p. 345). But, when it comes to those

controversial issues, editors have to ride a fine line between what is best for the source of the

controversy and what is best for the readers. It injects a element of humanity into the moral and

ethical decision-making process while maintaining principle and a sense of duty (Shaw & Barry,

2007, p. 75). Each case of ethical question has to be examined by both reporter and editor with

care and caution. Every case is different and there are no set guidelines that govern every

scenario. Newspapers, above all, should be accurate, fair, exact and sane. The reading public is

entitled to newspapers that are good and honorable (Yarros, 1922, p. 419). Within the ethical

decisions of an editor — either small or large market — is common sense. The questions of: It is
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right? Why are we doing it? Does it serve the public? Are we informing the public accurately

and fairly? Those are questions that have to be asked of any story with a journalistic ethical

question attached. The interest of the public and of fairness have to be paramount to any story a

newspaper chooses to publish.

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References

Anderson, D. (1987). How Managing Editors View and Deal With Ethical Issues. Journalism

Quarterly, 64(2), 341-345.

Lichtenstein, B. M., Smith, B. A., & Torbert, W. R. (1995). Leadership and Ethical

Development: Balancing Light and Shadow. Business Ethics Quarterly, 5(1), 97-116.

Shaw, W. H., & Barry, V. (2007). Moral Issues in Business (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson

Wadsworth.

Yarros, V. S. (1922, July). Journalism, Ethics, and Common Sense. International Journal of

Ethics, 32(4), 410-419.