Legal and Ethical Issues

Legal:
 
First Amendment

how does this relate to reporters?

reporters typically have no more First Amendment rights than other citizens
 
not all mediums are the same
 
in many cases, laws differ by state
 
Some key issues:
1. Defamation

Minnesota Statutes (544.043)
Publication
Identification
Defamation
Falsity
Fault
 

right to protect one's reputation

Truth is a defense

is it ethical?
 
2. Privacy

a key question - what violates someone's privacy
 
Statutes - ex. HIPPA, FIRPA
 

appropriation

false light

publication of private facts

intrusion
 
3. Copyright/Trademark
U.S. Copyright Office
U.S. Trademark Office
 

4. Freedom of Information Act

ability to gain access to certain government information

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
 

5. Shield Laws

what protection should I offer a source? (if any)

what are the potential issues I might face?
 
6. Broadcast content regulations

obscenity and indecency

hot news

what does the reporter know?

staged news

 

 
Ethics
Ethics goes beyond what is legal
What is legal may not be ethical

 

 
Where do ethics come from?
1. Religious foundations
Love your neighbor as yourself

 

 
People are created in the image of God
People are of infinite value in God's eyes
People should be treated with dignity and respect
People are not to be used as a means to an end

 

 
Agape love - putting others above ourselves (Phil. 2:3-4)

 

 
2. Industry Codes

RTNDA Code of Ethics

SPJ Code of Ethics
3. Station/Agency/Firm/Company policies

 

 
4. Personal ethics
cases

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