It’s not a secret that the journalism industry is trying to grapple with widespread distrust and with misinformation spread by others through the internet and social media.
As a journalism historian, I know that the rapid changes in mass media in the past 50 years have been difficult not only for the journalism industry but also for the public.
No longer is it a matter of simply watching three broadcast networks with longtime trustworthy anchors and reading the daily newspaper that arrives in your driveway.
Now, information comes 24-7 from thousands of available avenues – including from people both purposefully and not purposefully now having the ability to spread false information to a mass audience through Facebook, Twitter and blogs.
I’m a big fan of the Trusting News Project, which is coordinated by one of my former colleagues from our days at the Missouri School of Journalism. The initiative emphasizes the importance of transparency and helping the public better understand our mission and work as journalists.
As the editor of The Eudora Times, it’s important to me that we’re able to have open conversations with the community and explain what we do, especially since the community has gone so long without its own newspaper.
We hope you will be able to join us between 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Eudora City Hall for our first community engagement event. However, I also want to take some time here to explain the code of ethics that my team works within.
Many people guffaw at the thought of journalism and ethics being in the same sentence. Surveys often show that the public doesn’t think we have any.
This is likely because, when the public is told about journalism ethics, it’s when they’re reading about a reporter who has done unethical behavior. That behavior becomes the focus as opposed to the fact the person was fired or demoted for not following the high bar of ethics we have.
In other words, we only talk about journalism ethics on the occasions that people break them, thereby giving the impression that it’s the norm when our actual intent is to point out this is not normal or acceptable.
My team of student reporters works under a code of ethics similar to those created by NPR. Above all else, we strive for accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency and accountability.
Reporters are not allowed to interview their own friends or relatives due to that being a conflict of interest with inherent bias. Reporters are not allowed to accept free meals or gifts from sources.
My reporters will not pay sources for any information unless it is required under the open records act to receive copies of public documents.
Reporters may not allow any sources to be anonymous without approval from an editor. Anonymity includes using first names only of sources. It is our job to be transparent about where we receive information. Only in rare circumstances, such as a source being in personal danger for sharing vital information, will anonymous sources be considered.
Reporters may not be active in any political organizations, sign petitions, promote political leanings on social media or engage in any political activity whatsoever that places their independence into question.
Reporters must also be transparent about any outside activities or memberships they may have.
The Eudora Times is a member of the Kansas Press Association, like other newspapers across the state. I am also personally a member of the Online News Association and am president of a national organization of journalism historians. I am up for a seat on the board of directors of another journalism historians organization.
I have also spent the past year working with the nonpartisan state League of Women Voters to help plan activities in Lawrence for this coming year that mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women voting rights.
Everyone on the team is, of course, associated with the University of Kansas School of Journalism. We are also working this year with a team of journalism students from the University of Missouri.
Unlike what the movies may have you believe, it is extremely rare for a reporter to go undercover and aim to trick or deceive the public to receive information. My reporters are required to state who they are and what they are doing when gathering information for stories.
My team is primarily comprised of student journalists. They are learning. They know that the aim of journalism is 100 percent accuracy every single word, every single hour of every single day. But we all make mistakes, especially when we’re new.
If we get it wrong, we are committed to listening and determining what needs to be done to correct it.
Above all else, our purpose is to provide an independent voice for the city of Eudora and its residents to share stories about what its community members are doing and to provide coverage of your local government agencies and ask questions that hold them accountable to you.
We look forward to a year of listening and learning together. You can always reach us at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
Teri Finneman
Editor
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