Are journalism ethics different for online journalists?
The company in question is Vator, backed by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. Francisco is not allowed to write about any companies that work with Vator and cannot write in favor of Thiel’s interests.
Though Francisco has since the agreement written about some companies with ties to Thiel, she says that she would have to stop writing altogether to avoid Thiel’s interests.
The Francisco conflict has, of course, led to a broader debate: Is this a result of the converging nature of new media, or an excuse to let journalistic ethics slip?
MarketWatch editor in chief David Callaway feels that "conflicts and potential conflicts are something that journalists deal with every day," Callaway said. "We often have to deal with them on a case-by-case basis and find separate solutions.”
On the other hand, Bob Steele, an ethics advisor at Poynter Institute, thinks traditional ethics still need a big role in online journalism. "Editors challenge reporters who might get too close to sources. Organizational guidelines restrict financial investments to protect against conflicts and competing loyalties," he said.
To consider: Traditional conflict-of-interest rules don’t always even keep traditional journalists in line. Earlier this year, CNBC news anchor Maria Bartiromo accepted a free ride to China on Citigroup's private jet. Though CNBC had approved of the trip, many still questioned her ability to cover Citigroup fairly.
"You can't just totally rewrite the rules," Callaway said. "But there needs to be some happy medium...the rigid rules of the past may not always apply to new media.”
Source: CNet through I Want Media
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Journalism standards should with as rigorous for print as well as online venues. Weblogs and online forums have given journalism a socitiael reach that it has never had before in history. Like the old, untamed American West it could use some civility and direction. Journalist should not be allowed to write whatever they want without fear of legal reprisal. If Americans want a free and vibrant society it must have a press that is both free and responsibile; anything less is just propaganda and gossip that passes as a bad impression of journalism.
Danny L. McDaniel
Lafayette, Indiana
Lindsay, for the benefit of all your managing editor readers, perhaps it would help to review some key facts about this case. Mr. Callaway chose to disregard the Dow Jones "code of conduct" in an attempt to retain a columnist, Bambi Francisco. In doing so, he knowingly placed the Dow Jones Company's reputation at risk.
To make matters worse, rather than take full responsibility for his lapse in judgment, he then made cavalier comments about the need for flexible principles to adapt to the need for a softer position on ethics -- because new media is different (so he believes).
In contrast, I suggest that all professional journalists should attempt to rise the high ethical standards of the best bloggers by using "disclosure" statements whenever there is the potential for an apparent conflict of interest. My point: Ms. Francisco repeatedly wrote about people and organizations where she knew there was a clear conflict of interest. Meanwhile, Callaway did nothing, until it was publicly exposed.
Do the rigid rules of honor and integrity still apply? Moreover, does the World Editors Forum membership collectively stand behind Mr. Callaway's (and Dow Jones, by default) call for a softening of ethical standards? The general public would like to know your answer.