As the practices of journalism continue to become more digitally oriented, they’re also becoming more visual. Metrics for more than the last two decades have shown that having a visual attached to a story, …
“Perversion of Justice” wins 2019 Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics
“Perversion of Justice” by Julie K. Brown and Emily Michot of the Miami Herald has won the 2019 Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics from the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. …
Changing the conversation, one word at a time: how professional organizations are pushing for changes in the AP Stylebook – and beyond
It started with a single word: Boy. At a protest following the in-custody death of Freddie Gray, a black woman had been caught on video hitting and berating her teenage son for participating in the …
Changes in HR: What #MeToo means for news organizations
In October 2017 the New York Times published a story detailing decades of alleged abuse by film executive Harvey Weinstein. The story marked a watershed, resulting in new stories of sexual harassment and workplace …
Should journalists be transparent about their religion?
In her years as a religion reporter, Cathy Grossman has traveled from Texas to Vatican City and covered nearly every religious group imaginable. But amid her thousands of interviews, she’s had a strict policy of never …
New funding models mean new ethical challenges for media companies
It’s no secret that in recent decades the financial woes of traditional newspapers have continued to get worse. It’s also no secret that Americans’ trust in the news media has dropped over the past decade. …
Everything-but-the-kitchen-sink: a guide to confidential sources
By Steven Potter Two trains of thought prevail when it comes to using confidential sources. Some see them as a necessary journalistic tool — to be used sparingly — when a story wouldn’t materialize without …
Populist times and the perils of “neutral” journalism: A Q&A with media ethicist Stephen J.A. Ward
Stephen J. A. Ward is an internationally recognized media ethicist and the founding director of the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His new book, “Ethical Journalism in a Populist Age: The …
Recap of “Media after the Midterms: Journalism Ethics in a Contentious Age”
The ethics and future of freedom of information: a Q&A with Bill Lueders
Disclosure: Steven Potter conducted this interview for the Center for Journalism Ethics and later was invited to join the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council board. Access to government records, data and meetings is critical …