Although journalists are sometimes sued for libel, or perhaps failing to disclose sources in an investigation, some now face a much newer accusation: illegal hacking. Two companies, TerraCom Inc. and YourTel America recently threatened to …
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Documentaries: Journalism but not necessarily unbiased journalism
In general, documentaries’ have evolved as a distinguished genre and separated themselves from more entertainment-oriented Hollywood movies through a foundation of unbiased, fact-based journalism. However, documentaries that advocate for a specific cause do not always present an …
Olympians have sponsors write social media posts
Multiple reports surfaced last week that sponsors may be writing some of the Olympians social media posts, working with their managers and publicists to craft messages from the athletes’ personal accounts. Reps for figure skating …
Wisconsin public official blurs line between journalist and politician
Dodgeville, Wis. Mayor, Todd Novak, has worked for the local Dodgeville Chronicle for the past 24 years–and now he’s running for the state Assembly. Chris Rickert, writing for the Wisconsin State Journal, cautioned, if Novak …
Making yourself the Story: American Journalists and the 2014 Olympic games
Although the Olympics are supposed to be all about international sportsmanship, for many journalists, the games often become a critique of the host country’s politics. During Beijing’s 2008 games, journalists wrote about China’s human rights …
Publishing classified information leads to search of reporter’s private email account
U.S. authorities used an affidavit as legal means to search a journalist’s private emails after he published classified national defense information. The U.S. state department official who gave the information to the journalist will likely …
Do data robots need their own set of ethics?
Google recently acquired DeepMind for $400 million and will incorporate the London-based artificial intelligence startup’s team and software into Google’s search team, now known as the “Knowledge” group. This is an especially vital development for …
Gargantuan heels and face planets: Portraying women of power in media
At first glance, this month’s TIME cover featuring a woman’s leg in a pantsuit may appear like a just another generic cover photo. However, a more careful look at the royal blue, pantsuit-clad back leg …
Learning from Grantland’s Dr. V story: When reporting for a niche loses context in the grips of a network effect
Much has already been written about the ethical questions raised in the wake of Grantland’s January 15th story by Caleb Hannan entitled Dr. V’s Magical Putter. The article itself has been updated to include a letter …
Testing school security, KSDK-TV reporter triggers lockdown
It may be a case of the end justifying the means. If so, which end matters more: Exposure of a significant security flaw at a local high school, or the stress and expense brought on …