Unethical Journalists.
Where do you stand on the ethical questions raised byShattered Glass?
Before you answer, take some time to investigate theissues by researching the journalists listed below, each of whom hasbeen accused of fabricating stories like Stephen Glass.
Gather the facts ofthe case and sample some of the discussion that has surrounded it. Organize your research into a class presentation thatexplains the incident and what it can teach us about the ethicalquestions raised in Shattered Glass.
Circle the journalist whom you were assigned:
Julie Amparano
Mike Barnicle
Jayson Blair
Janet Cooke
Ruth Shalit
Patricia Smith
Make sure your presentation has at least ONE SLIDE for each of the following:
WHO – give background facts about this person’s character. Who are they? How did they get their start in journalism? Trace their journalism career including all publications by which they were employed.
WHAT – what did they do in journalism? What were they known for (before they became known for being unethical)? What ethical dilemmas did they face? What ethical questions did they raise in the reporting? Here, give all the facts of the case.
WHEN – when did these events occur? When did the events within their ethical dilemma(s) occur?
WHERE – where were they employed? Where did the events within their ethical dilemma(s) occur?
WHY – after explaining the facts of the case, why do you think these reporters chose to act unethically in their career? For some, you may find an explanation, but for others, you may not. The second part of the WHY slide should explain WHY the actions themselves are considered unethical. *Use your SPJ code of ethics here.
HOW – how was their situation handled? What was the consequence? What did their editor/the publication do to the journalist? How did the public respond?
PHOTOS – include a photo of your journalist
RESPONSE – what are your opinions on the journalist you researched. Why do you think they chose to take the actions that they did? What was so “bad” about what they did? What would you have done differently?
*EXAMPLES OF WORK – if you can, find excerpts of their work to include in your presentation. You can paste a photo of the work into your presentation or provide a class set.
YOUR PRESENTATION SHOULD:
Be between 9-15 slides
Use bullet points
Befree of grammatical and spelling errors
Be split evenlywith your group
PROJECT DUE DATE: ______
REQUIREMENT / 5Meets all requirements / 4
Meets most requirements / 3
Meets some requirements / 2
Meets less than half requirements / 1
Does not meet requirements
WHO – gives background facts about this person’s character.Includes start in journalism. Traces their journalism career including all publications by which they were employed.
WHAT – includes what they did journalism; what they’re known for (before they became known for being unethical); what ethical dilemmas they faced. Gives all the facts of the case.
WHEN – includes year(s) or time frame in which this person was making headlines. WHERE –includes where were they employed; where the events within their ethical dilemma(s) occurred
WHY – explains why you think these reporters chose to act unethically in their career; WHY slide should explain WHY the actions themselves are considered unethical. *Use your SPJ code of ethics here.
HOW –includeshow their was situation handled; the consequence; what their editor/the publication did to the journalist and how the public responded
PHOTOS – include a photo of your journalist
RESPONSE – includes your opinions on the journalist you researched. Why do you think they chose to take the actions that they did? What was so “bad” about what they did? What would you have done differently?
Be between 9-15 slides;
Use bullet points;
Be free of grammatical and spelling errors;
Be split evenly with your group
Total ______/40