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.
If the story is something that has overriding public interest, then perhaps Joe can give her anonymity in order to protect her job. If the story isn't otherwise well-sourced, though, he might have to considering dropping it. It's hard to say.
In my own Code of Ethics, I would say, limit your use of anonymity, however, you have no story if you can't use her remarks. And you can't alter or fabricate the story. So, leave her anonymous, just make sure that your other sources are not left anonymous. If you do that, then your story seems fake. So don't fabricate, but don't use her name. But don't make too many sources anonymous.
If it's about something serious Joe should continue without stating the source, but before that he should try his best to find some other source who is more willing.
i think that he should ask cindy if he can use her quotes but make her an anonymus source. that way he can have a story and she won't get in trouble at work.
I would have obtained information from other sources in the first place to prevent this type of dilemma. He could just not publish her name and it would be fine especially if there are many people that have her same job.
If he does publish the story, then she might lose her job. But if he doesn't publish it, he may not have another story. His boss would think he was a yahoo if he didn't publish a story at all and probably fire him. He should try to find another story and if he can't use the other one.
8 comments:
If the story is something that has overriding public interest, then perhaps Joe can give her anonymity in order to protect her job. If the story isn't otherwise well-sourced, though, he might have to considering dropping it. It's hard to say.
In my own Code of Ethics, I would say, limit your use of anonymity, however, you have no story if you can't use her remarks. And you can't alter or fabricate the story. So, leave her anonymous, just make sure that your other sources are not left anonymous. If you do that, then your story seems fake. So don't fabricate, but don't use her name. But don't make too many sources anonymous.
If it's about something serious Joe should continue without stating the source, but before that he should try his best to find some other source who is more willing.
i think that he should ask cindy if he can use her quotes but make her an anonymus source. that way he can have a story and she won't get in trouble at work.
if it's of public interest, then publish it or if her job is on the line post it anonymously... but if not, then maybe it shouldn't be a story.
He should not use her sources. I think it is a pretty much selfish thing to do to just publish the sources and make her lose her job.
I would have obtained information from other sources in the first place to prevent this type of dilemma. He could just not publish her name and it would be fine especially if there are many people that have her same job.
If he does publish the story, then she might lose her job. But if he doesn't publish it, he may not have another story. His boss would think he was a yahoo if he didn't publish a story at all and probably fire him. He should try to find another story and if he can't use the other one.
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