The University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communicactions invites visitors to probe and discuss issues of journalism ethics. This project was originally created as a part of the Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Week observation in 2008.
Artwork by Garen Cansler.
No doubt Joe needs to pay. It would not be a big deal for him to simply tell her that paper has given him an expense account. He shouldn't be taking a gift from anyone who is involved in a current or potential story.
Joe should definitely pay. If he has an expense account, there's no reason for him not to use it. And even if he didn't, it would be entirely unethical for him to accept a gift from the person he is writing about.
Let's be serious, who would really be bought off for a cup of coffee and (what looks like) a tuna salad? Most reporting jobs allow you to take items up to $30 or $50. If Joe were accepting bottles of Dom Perignon and trips to Cabo, then that would be a problem. But come on, a cup of coffee? Even at Starbucks prices? You all can be absolutists, but then what about food that's given out at a buffet or coffee that might be offered at a town meeting or a drink at a bar. And what if you are given a hat or a t-shirt or a keychain. Every year I get a free calendar from the Young America Foundation with pictures of Ronald Reagan on it. It is probably worth as much as that lunch. It has not made me a Republican stooge. I laugh at any reporter who feels they will be tempted to be biased over such things.
The only reason that this scenario looks bad at all is becasue of the candidate's mobster-like dialogue -- "I take care of my friends." It implies that she is trying to buy him off with her $5.69 in largess. This is pretty silly. No one would talk like that in real life. Of course, the candidate may have just felt sorry for Joe becasue the only work clothes he can afford are a white t-shirt and jeans. I've never worked at a place that would fire someone for accpeting a cup of coffee, but everyplace I've worked would have fired you if they knew you were going out to meet officials dressed like that.
Just say, With all due respect ma'am, it's unethical for me to let you buy me lunch. I can't accept an offer like this, but maybe another time. It's against my code of ethics to have my clients buy me lunch when I am doing business with them. But outside of work, you can.
no... he shouldn't take the offer. she's not very professional and i'm sure he could find someone else... if she's a friend, just tell her what he's really wanting to write about. she'll understand.
He cannot take the lunch after all it will be economically inefficient if either one of them pays so let your company cover your expences. His job is to inform the people not establish relationships.
12 comments:
Clearly Joe should buy his own lunch. If journalists depend on one thing, it's their credibility.
No doubt Joe needs to pay. It would not be a big deal for him to simply tell her that paper has given him an expense account. He shouldn't be taking a gift from anyone who is involved in a current or potential story.
Joe should know... "There are no free lunches." If she pays, he'll pay.
Joe should definitely pay. If he has an expense account, there's no reason for him not to use it. And even if he didn't, it would be entirely unethical for him to accept a gift from the person he is writing about.
Let's be serious, who would really be bought off for a cup of coffee and (what looks like) a tuna salad? Most reporting jobs allow you to take items up to $30 or $50. If Joe were accepting bottles of Dom Perignon and trips to Cabo, then that would be a problem. But come on, a cup of coffee? Even at Starbucks prices? You all can be absolutists, but then what about food that's given out at a buffet or coffee that might be offered at a town meeting or a drink at a bar. And what if you are given a hat or a t-shirt or a keychain. Every year I get a free calendar from the Young America Foundation with pictures of Ronald Reagan on it. It is probably worth as much as that lunch. It has not made me a Republican stooge. I laugh at any reporter who feels they will be tempted to be biased over such things.
The only reason that this scenario looks bad at all is becasue of the candidate's mobster-like dialogue -- "I take care of my friends." It implies that she is trying to buy him off with her $5.69 in largess. This is pretty silly. No one would talk like that in real life. Of course, the candidate may have just felt sorry for Joe becasue the only work clothes he can afford are a white t-shirt and jeans. I've never worked at a place that would fire someone for accpeting a cup of coffee, but everyplace I've worked would have fired you if they knew you were going out to meet officials dressed like that.
just tell her the truth.. if she really is a friend then she won't be offended. "the truth will set you free."
He should not get any stuff from someone who will be written for.
Just say, With all due respect ma'am, it's unethical for me to let you buy me lunch. I can't accept an offer like this, but maybe another time. It's against my code of ethics to have my clients buy me lunch when I am doing business with them. But outside of work, you can.
no... he shouldn't take the offer. she's not very professional and i'm sure he could find someone else... if she's a friend, just tell her what he's really wanting to write about. she'll understand.
I agree with Muzna, he should tell her that he is her friend but having her paying for him would look like she was buying him off.
He cannot take the lunch after all it will be economically inefficient if either one of them pays so let your company cover your expences. His job is to inform the people not establish relationships.
he should just, in a gentlemanly way, tell her that he would pay and she didn't need to pay for the interview.
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