Key Findings.....

When you think of the word journalist, what comes to mind?

An honest, professional individual who always bides by the rules, or a deceitful, misleading entity who would lie and even misrepresent an event to compose an 'amazing' front page story?

Undoubtedly, journalists are what make the news what it is. They report, they assemble, and have given us; the British public; some of the best and most astounding news stories to date. But still, the question remains into exactly how far can we trust the modern journalist on their quest to achieve the perfect inside story?

A fine example of the underlying debate of journalistic sources lies with the controversial headlines that hit The Sun front page on 19th April 1989 following the Hillsborough disaster:

http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/history/media.shtm

Here we saw a so-called news 'report' on the despicable events that followed that dreadful day, only to later be told all information was false and the given sources 'misleading'. This is just one of many now famous news stories that has proved-quite simply-to be a load of cock and bull.

More recently, we have seen the world press and television news being attacked for its misrepresentation over political wars in (for example) Iraq and Kosovo.

http://www.antiwar.com/malic/m051503.html

If a journalist can fabricate myths surrounding such sombre events, then what chance is there for the ethical news reporter wanting to play it by the book?

Still, many journalists are adamant that blatant lying can be justified if it can end up solving problems. Bob Steele, a scholar for journalism values in the U.S., does believe that in some rare, exceptional cases, such deception can be justified.

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=67&aid=126110

He goes on to include an article written in The Los Angeles Times by journalist Ken Silverstein, who defends his decision to go undercover and misrepresent his identity, choosing to condemn those journalists who perceive such deception as ethically wrong.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-silverstein30jun30,1,6436754.story?coll=la-news-comment

Perhaps my favourite online read regarding the disputation of journalists, is an article devised by 'honorary' journalist Stephen Merchant, who half-heartedly brands fellow journalists as 'lazy, lying scandalmongers'.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2040906,00.html

The words in the fourth to last paragraph are what stands out the most- 'we must not let our standards drop. We are bastions of truth and integrity'. Whether Stephen's wish is upheld in the not too distant future, is a completely different story.


Key Texts

Hargreaves, I (2003) Journalism: Truth or Dare? Oxford: Oxford University Press

-Fantastic and interesting book looking at issues including ethical responsibilty, intrusion, lack of accountability, obscenity, trivialization, rumor-mongering, and libel from contemporary journalism all around the world.


Cohen, S and Young, J (1981) The Manufacture Of News. Social Problems, Deviance and The Mass Media. 6th ed. London: Constable

-A meaningful read into the Market and Manipulative models they devised to test the mass media and its effects on audiences.

Harcup, T (2006) Journalism: Principles and Practice. 4th ed. London: Sage

-Insightful read, explaining how to be an ethical journalist, 'do journalism' and including media theory for prospective journalists to reflect on.


Chippindale, P and and Horrie, C (1992) Stick It Up Your Punter. London: Mandarin Press

-Extremely good read, focusing on simply the rise and fall of The Sun. Shows how the newspaper has made it profits by sticking to a formula of sex, sensationalism and trivia.