Ethics In Journalism – Favors, Gifts and Financial Gain
This is Part 9 in a Multi-Part Series Examining Journalistic Ethics.
A reporter or journalist should absolutely never take anything from someone as gratification or “thank you” for an article written. Gratification may be expressed in the form of gifts such as a box of doughnuts, movie tickets or a box of frozen prime steaks.
Regardless of the exact nature of the gifts, is it ever acceptable for a news reporter to accept these items? The Associated Press answer to this question is “no.” Any favor, gift and any financial gain a reporter receives for writing an article on a particular subject is a step closer to crossing that ethical line between simple gifts and taking bribes.
The compensation a reporter receives for the research and writing of an article is provided by the publication. A journalist’s salary is the compensation for the work done.
If a reporter is ever caught receiving gifts, financial or otherwise, it can cause irreparable damage to how the public view’s that reporter.
If a journalist is given a car as a gift, will anyone paying attention to this take that reporter for face value if ever writing an article about cars or the resulting pollution at face value?
If a journalist accepts plane tickets to whatever destination, will the public ever take that reporter seriously in matters of airlines or even the destination as fair and unbiased?
In these and similar instances, accepting “gifts” or “bribes” from certain individuals, businesses or other entities may prevent the public from seeing the reporter as being fair the related subject.
Another concern when approaching this ethical line is whether or not a favor will be asked in return. A reporter accepting gifts may “put them in the pockets” of sources and subjects, which can greatly damage the journalist’s reputation.
More than once in prisons someone spoke the phrase “don’t let anyone give you a candy bar, because you now owe them a favor.”
This philosophy can easily find its way into a publication if the reporter accepts gifts for their journalistic work. If someone gives a reporter something, that person may return in the future saying “Now I need you to do something for me.”
As a fair and objective reporter, it is to that reporter’s benefit not to put themselves in touchy situations in which they cross that ethical line. Ethics in journalism is very important, and too often ignored. It is fairly obvious how the “mainstream media,” news outlets are seen as morally and politically polarized, thus turning away consumers who do not share the same values.
So when do gifts become bribes, and when does one cross the ethical line? A single instance may be all it takes. Once that line is crossed, the journalist may never regain the trust of the public or be taken seriously as fair and objective again.
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 1 of 11 – Personal Opinion
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 2 of 11 – Statistics and Numbers
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 3 of 11 – Political Affiliation
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 4 of 11 – Fabrication and Manipulation
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 5 of 11 – Attribution and Plagiarism
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 6 of 11 – Self-Censorship
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 7 of 11 – Data and Information Sources
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 8 of 11 – Use of First Person
Journalistic Ethics Series Article 10 of 11 – Reviews and Giving Orders