Media says “Nyet!” to self-censorshipWhile magazine publisher Conde Nast’s attempts — and initial success — in censoring a story in GQ magazine are troubling, but it’s at least reassuring that GQ’s editors didn’t take it lying down, says Julian Sanchez.
Journalistic ethics
When sports pundits are also punters
In a recent survey of sports writers, 40% of those polled admitted to betting on sports — though only 5% fessed up to taking a punt on the specific sport they cover. Are they gambling with their objectivity?
Video of the Day: Can the media be trusted to tell the truth?
Can we trust the press to choose facts over finances? Julian Burnside, John Fairfax, Jonathan Holmes, Simon Longstaff, Catharine Lumby, Stephen Mayne and Mark Scott debate the issue of truth in media.
The five ballsiest lies ever told in journalism
When it comes to lies in the media, there’s the warrants-five-minutes-on-Media-Watch stuff, and then there are these tall tales. Cracked wraps some of the biggest, ballsiest bits of BS to ever hit the front pages.
Crikey Says: Ethics aside, a big day for The Oz
Two giant exclusives on the front page of The Australian today are worthy of applaud, but what happened to ethics in journalism?
Grech interview raises an ethical red flag
If you have to write “… speaking from a psychiatric ward in Canberra last night…”, there may be an ethical concern, proposes Tobias Ziegler. Is Godwin Grech capable of giving informed consent to an interview?
Gossip Cops to patrol celebrity news
The folks behind Mediaite have just launched GossipCop.com, a watchdog for celebrity news and gossip sites. “Think of it as TMZ meets Smoking Gun. Or maybe Perez Hilton meets Columbia Journalism Review” says the creator.
Reduce, reuse, recycle: women’s mag déjà vu
Ever browse a woman’s mag and get that distinct feeling you’ve read it all before? You probably have. Jezebel lifts the lid on how glossy editors devise fill-in-the-blank articles on the same formulaic stereotypes and cliches to farm out to writers, again and again.
The West Australian’s ethics beggar belief
Last Friday, two cadet reporters masqueraded as beggars on the streets of Perth to obtain information for articles published in The West Australian. Is this deception?
Madoff and Michael: the media circus is in town
The double feature of Michael Jackson’s death and Bernie Madoff’s imprisonment may have had us riveted, but the coverage went well beyond the parameters of acceptable journalism, argues Jon Friedman.
Responsible reporting of swine flu: a guide
A handy tipsheet for responsible reporting on the swine flu. The only one likely to raise eyebrows is a suggestion to avoid terms like “epidemic”.
Quality journalism will bloom online
In my view the internet provides the opportunity for the rebirth of this kind of journalism, not its death.
Hanson photo affair undermines the right to know
The editors of the tabloids that ran the ‘Hanson’ photographs knew exactly why they were publishing these pics and I am certain the reason had nothing to do with serving the public interest, writes Michael Gawenda.
Journalistic ethics, UTS and the Sydney Writers’ Festival
A nasty fuss has sprung up around the Sydney Writers’ Festival and New South Wales’ leading journalism school, writes Margaret Simons.
Bidgood was right to take those photos and sell them
Was the taking of the photo what is said to be wrong? Or was it selling the photos to News Ltd for a donation? Asks Graham Young.
Shake-up at The West
Editor Paul Armstrong suddenly looks limp-wristed following yesterday’s announcement that WA Newspapers CEO, the board chairman and two other directors were resigning, writes Lawrence Apps.
Scott queries the stories Media Watch rejects
It seems that the ABC Managing Director, Mark Scott, may be a little disappointed in Media Watch this week because if failed to tackle – or even mention – the fundamental issues of journalistic ethics that have been at the centre of the news, writes Margaret Simons.
Costello speaks: an ethics lesson from a liar
A low key Peter Costello fronted a doorstop outside the Ministerial Entrance at 8:40 this morning with a very important message: you can’t trust journalists.
