I chose ABC News Blogs
(http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/), specifically, the Headlines blog to
analyze. I like this blog because the
percentage of people who post here are professional Journalists. In my opinion, ABC News monitors the content
and it appears to follow a Code of Ethics.
What is great about the ABC News blogs is that there are a variety of
blogs within the website. You can view
blogs about entertainment, health, politics, etc.
My preference for blogs
are those that are supported by a credible news organization. I know not everyone thinks like I do. I think blogs are good if they are supported
by a credible agency. The best way I
find to determine this is by research.
Research the blog by who or what agency supports it. Log at the professionalism of the blog. Is it well out together or just thrown
together? It takes more than just
looking at the package to determine if it is a credible blog or not. Review the blog’s content of what is being
posted. Are the ideas and thoughts being
posted extreme or outlandish? Is the
opinion of the blogger being published in a way as to represent fact? There is a blog called Cyberjournalist.net (http://news.cyberjournalist.net/) and they have a Blogger’s Code of Ethics. The Code is as follows:
Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Bloggers should:
• Never plagiarize.
• Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
• Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
• Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.
• Never publish information they know is inaccurate -- and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it's in doubt.
• Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.
• Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
Minimize Harm Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Bloggers should:
• Never plagiarize.
• Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
• Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
• Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.
• Never publish information they know is inaccurate -- and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it's in doubt.
• Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.
• Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect.
Bloggers should:
• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.
• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy.
• Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
Be Accountable
Bloggers should:
• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
• Explain each Weblog's mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers' conduct.
• Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.
• Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.
• Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
Bloggers should:
• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
• Explain each Weblog's mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers' conduct.
• Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.
• Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.
• Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
If you notice, the
Blogger’s Code of Ethics (http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/000215.php) is much like the SPJ code of Ethics for Journalist. I think Best Practices for creating a Blog
come from the Blogger using the SPJ Code of Ethics as a great guideline. Afterall, they are publishing information,
much like a Journalist. The posts can be
read by everyone.
Sources:
http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/000215.php
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/
Sources:
http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/000215.php
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/
You know a news blog is good when other journalists visit it on a regular basis and comment. Especially if they are from other media unaffiliated news outlets. And who better to ensure that news blogger vet their sources and remain ethical, than other journalist.
ReplyDeleteHi Tim -
ReplyDeleteI think that is the reason I like the blogs on credible news agencies. I think it is important for these agencies to report fact-based info, even on their blogs.
Thanks for your reply.
Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Not only is the cyberjournalist blog an interesting site, I like that they have a code of ethics and are extending theirs from the foundations of the initial Journalist's Code of Ethics. That seems to me like a best practice in itself!
Sue
Thanks Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteThe cyberjournalism code is one I'll keep for the future. Thanks,