Bias Project

The part of chapter seven that sticks out the most in my mind is how sometimes something that may not appear offensive to some people, can be extremely offensive to others. Our failure to learn that there are differences and to make no attempt to understand them can ruin our reputation and even our credibility. Although there is no possible way for us to identify every single thing that is offensive to everyone under the sun I think that we should make an attempt to understand why things are so and to dig up anything that is hidden. Not only is it important to fact check a story for errors in grammar and style, but it is just as important to make sure you know what you are talking about when you write the story. In order to do this you have to check with sources and explore anything that might be misunderstood. For the class presentation of chapter seven, I would like to do an in-depth exploration of why things are offensive to some and not others and how a media professional or a person in their daily life can avoid stepping on toes through bias. Sometimes when people use stereotypes, they have heard the thing said so many times that they might not even realize they are indeed stereotyping and causing potential harm to a person or a group of people. For the project I am going to try to find some words or stereotypes and test people on whether or not they are offensive and why they are offensive, just to see how people differ in their thinking. It will be interesting to see where a person’s background can take them in their thoughts on other social and cultural groups. It is interesting how people may use stereotyping on a regular basis and fail to see how it is hurtful to the people that they are stereotyping, yet when they themselves are sterotyped they are very quick to point the finger and blame someone for the injustice that has been done to them.

Chapter 7- Bias

Chapter seven takes an in depth look at Bias concerning racial and other stereotypes that are portrayed in the media.  When I think of biases I think of intentional biases that people have against other people or things that they exhibit through speech, mannerisms toward others, and their ideas about other people that are different than themselves.  I rarely think about most biases being unintentional and sometimes even unrealized by the person who has made the biased remark or mannerism.  From personal experience, I know I would never want to do anything to offend or hurt someone. All of my actions and mannerisms are guarded against what I think others will deem offensive or inappropriate. My environment has trained me to be sensitive and guarded around other people who are different than myself. However, I recall a time in the supermarket when a large woman was ahead of my mom and I. I remember not understanding why the woman was so big. In my short lifetime I had never seen anyone that large. I was a shy child so I never said anything out loud, but on the ride home I remember questioning my mom as to why the woman was so big. I don’t really remember what my mom said, but knowing her I think she probably said something about every person looking different and how God created everyone uniquely and that it is not up to us to judge other people. I figure she probably told me that we should love all people the same, cause that is usually how she talks to this day. When I fast forward, in my memory, to a time when I was at a video rental store with my mom and my little brother, I recall a similar experience with my brother asking mom about another person’s appearances. My brother is the complete opposite of me. He is a very outspoken person who is not afraid of anything.  While my mom was perusing the rentals my brother walked up to her and pointed to a larger man in a wheel chair and and asked why the man was so large. My mom turned bright red, grabbed my brother and we left the store.  On the ride home mom explained to him why it was not polite to point out things about other people and that his remark was hurtful.  Reading this chapter on unintentional bias made me think of a young child and how they are not aware of socially acceptable behavior. Just as a small child learns what they should and should not say about other people, I think a journalist or media professional should learn about what is deemed unacceptable or hurtful in the eyes of people that might be reading, viewing, or listening to their stories. Bugeja points out that many people are not even aware when they stereotype others, or they are not aware that they are hurting others when they put them into groups and slap a label on the group. I know I grew up in a very limited environment as far as the cultural and social backgrounds I encountered during my childhood. I still think that there are alot of things that I have yet to encounter or learn about other people. When you meet someone that is from a different background I think it is important to be accepting and open to new ideas.  However, being too guarded and scared to make mistakes can also be a downfall. It is safe to say that if you are unsure about the effect that a statement will have, then you should check around before setting it in stone.  As I questioned my mother about the lady in the store I think it is important to ask people if you do not understand what something is. It is okay to not know something and figure it out, but it is not acceptable to broadcast your ignorance.

Journalism Ethics

From an ethical standpoint I believe that the New York Times reporter who wrote the article about gay a lesbian teens went against many rules of journalism and broke laws to get the story. On one hand I think they put the teens as well as their self in harm’s way. The teens legally were not supposed to be interviewed without parental consent. And the article states that parental consent was not received. Also, the issue of homosexuality is a very heated one, which many adults are persecuted for. To put a youth in a position where you are spot lighting something so controverisal seems very irresponsible and unethical. It seems like the reporter broke many ethical boundaries as well as rules in order to obtain the story. In a way it was sneaky reporting. However, on the other hand I think the reporter broke a barrier by reporting on something that is still taboo in even today’s so called “free” society. Adults and youth are made to feel ashamed for certain behavior and I think the reporter is trying to convey that it is a battle for teens as well. I think the reporter is also highlighting the easy access to a sometimes dangerous world that the internet provides for children. The article is not only a focus on a specific group of youth, but the dangers they submit themselves to because they feel they cannot be open any place else. When applying the Potter Box and considering the values, loyalties, principles, and facts. I would consider certain parts of this case to be ethical and others not so ethical . As a journalist I believe that loyalties are to present truths and if this is happening then it is a truth and to getting the story. Even though the loyalties are to the reader the fact is that the reporter used illegal means to obtain a story and possibly put them as well as the teens in danger. As far as principles and values go I suppose it would depend on a person’s specific outlook to get a more concise picture. Obviously the reporter’s values and principles lay in getting a story and they were not so concerned with the interviewing of the youth. If I were asked to write such a story I think i would view it as being unethical not to at least talk to the parents first and then see if there is a story. Parents have a right to protect their teens from the heat that publicity can bring. 

Some People Say…

While we were watching the movie Out Foxed today, I could not help but be shocked by some of the scandal and dirty dealings that take place and have taken place on the network. Fox is not one of my favorite news sources therefore I rarely watch their program or get my information from them. But, from what I saw of Fox news today, I believe that Fox News teaches people everything that reporters are not supposed to be. Reporters should not be biased, should accurately and fairly quote sources and interviews,  and should realize that others may have differing opinions and must respect that and not let it cloud their reporting. These are just a few or the many things a reporter should be. A reporter has an ethical obligation to report the news in a fair and balanced way. Even though Fox News may claim to be “fair and balanced” they appear to be so far from it. I think Fox News is not really a news channel but just a spokes channel for the Republican Party. One of the most interesting things that I viewed in the film today was the part entitled “Some People Say.” I think that this segment is this biggest joke ever and no one at Fox News should call themselves a reporter or claim that Fox News is actually news. In fact, I think this proves that they are not a legitimate news source. If they have to have a segment that is as vague as this then maybe they should just go ahead and take the news out of their title. Such a segment is more characteristic of a tabloid program than a news organization. From day one of my journalism education I learned not only to quote someone fairly, but to cite every source and back up every piece of information. It is not only fair to the reader but it also saves the reporter from looking like an idiot. “Some People Say” puts journalism and reporting to shame. I cannot believe that such a large news organization would allow something like this to happen and I cannot believe that people actually trust them as a news source. Any news organization that takes sides and reports in this fashion is a discredit to journalism. 

Talk Show Ethics

After searching the Rush Limbaugh site for a few minutes it was clear to me that most of the issues Limbaugh talks about deal with ethical issues in one way or another. And all of the issues matter to someone and therefore a person could view them as ethical. In one transcript, that stuck out to me as a huge ethical issue, Limbaugh talked about how a Clinton ad attacking Obama has caused controversy because some claim that Obama’s skin color was deliberatly altered to make him appear darker. Clinton’s people claim that the ad is not theirs and they do not know how it ended up on their site. They also claim that the picture might have been altered when resolution was changed from a video ad. When considering the possibility that someone altered obama’s skin tone to make him appear darker, this idea raises very big ethical issues. Is it ethical that darker skin color is being used as a negative trait? Is it ethical to alter someone’s appearance to put them in a negative light? I personally think that all of the mudslinging that the democrats are doing is shameful and it makes me embarassed for them. If it is the case that Obama’s photo was altered and these intentions were the motive behind it then I believe this is completely unethical. To try to gain to upper hand in such a way is deceitful and if proven to be true would make me think a lot less of the Clinton campaign. I think it would be a horrible idea to elect a democratic campaign nominee that has a racist support group and does such low things to try to gain an advantage. On my ethical spectrum there is no question that such an act would be wrong. Naturally there is a good deal of mudslinging that takes place during elections. However, I think that when the insults start to insinuate that a certain skin color is negative or makes a person bad, then the line needs to be drawn. This is getting a bit rediculous and not just insulting Obama, but insulting any person with darker skin. I doubt that Limbaugh viewed the issue in the same way I do, because the transcript is clearly just taking a stab at the Clintion Campaign, but it is a very interesting topic that should raise concern.

A Necessary Message

From a media stanpoint the image that the newspapers or other print mediums choose to accompany stories can make or break a page. The photo is usually the first part of the paper that catches a reader’s eye and entices them to investigate the article further. Chances are a dull and lifeless photo will not bring a reader in and therefore not encourage them to look any further. Photos can help to tell the story, but they can also hurt a story if the image gives the wrong idea. The photographer and editors must be careful to select photos that fit within the limits of the story. If the photo seems to stray from the story then this can be just as bad as a reporter misrepresenting a story. The most important photo in the paper and the first thing a person will  see are the front page photos. Naturally the photo must be powerful enough to draw the reader in and capture their attention, but at the same time an image that is too powerful can offend the reader and maybe even cause embarassment. On Monday when we watched the film on photo-journalism it was obvious just by looking around the room that each person reacts differently to different subjects. For example, when the picture of bodies hanging from a bridge was flashed on the screen some people were against photographs of such a violent nature. Not that anyone is for violence, but I think that it was necessary to portray such an image because it really helps to get the message across that there is a problem and that not everything is perfect and happy. People are dying in wars and natural disasters. I don’t necessarily think that corpses should be splayed all over the front page, but I do think it is important not to sugar coat things for people. Too often we become enveloped in our own little cocoons unaware of outside events. Powerful images can sometimes evoke embarassment, shock, disgust, outrage, and many other emotions. However, I think our nation needs to be shocked into reality. In most cases photographers are doing us a service by letting us know what is out there and that the violence and deaths are real. I think that in very few cases the motive is just to sell more papers. It was obvious from the film that photographers and editors have very heavy debates about shocking photos. If there is death and violence occuring then the public needs to know and more importantly the photo needs to portray the seriousness or magnitude of the events. Naturally there are limits as to how far one should go, but I think photos can emphasize events without being too morbid or in poor taste.  Sometimes it is crucial to include shomething that might shock most people. If we are shocked then I see this as a good thing because it indicates that we are not insensitive and that we are being made aware of the reality that is out there.

Drawing the Line

In a day when law suits are all around us and everyone is jumping to sue the next person, it can be a difficult task to decipher when to include information and when to avoid disclosing certain things. Sometimes a person might think that it is important to convey all of the facts, but others will disagree saying that too much information proved to be harmful. On the other hand too little information can be just as bad. In Chapter 3 Bujega discusses truthful disclosures in the media. Bugeja comes to the consensus that people should avoid omitting facts and details that could be pertinent to the understanding of a story or cast a different shadow on the story. Bugeja also stresses the importance of clarifying boundaries with a client or source, to ensure that all parties are on the same page. Although it seems like always doing the right thing should be a relatively easy task, it seems like quite the contrary to me. Everyday that I work on a story, in which I have to interview people, I am constantly on guard about what information I include and which informaiton I leave out. Of course it is important to be honest and not include fabrications in a story, but misrepresenting a source or a piece of information can be just as fatal. Even a person’s greatest intentions can be misguided if the person does not have an understanding of what they are going into with a certain story. I think Bugeja has the right idea when he stresses the importance of checking with a source or client to make sure everything is correct and being portrayed in a way that is as accuarate as possible. When I first started writing news articles I believed that I was doing the right thing as long as I gave every side some time in the spotlight and quoted them accurately. Now I find that reporting truthfully has many more elements than that. Now when I write a story I try to find the soul or the focus of the story and try not to stray from the issues at hand. Giving sources time is important, but it is also vital to recognize when you are being led astray. Keeping a safe distance from personal attachment and picturing the soul of the story before I delve into it has proved to be crucial. If you think something needs to be fact checked or might need more information then it probably does. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Lessons from Low Points

Most of the negative or low points in my life are experiences that later turned into good things that I still carry with me to this day. They are more or less battle scars that have given me a thicker skin and transformed my views of life into positive ones. The first traumatizing experience of my life was perhaps one of the most influential experiences. When I was 5-years-old my parents decided to end their troubled marriage. My mother left us and my dad took me live with his family. I did not see my mother for about a year after the divorce and my visitation with her was limited. Being raised by my father forever changed my life and gave me a very different outlook from most girls I grew up with. It was challenging and there were difficult hurdles but I realized from an early age that things could be difficult. When my father and I moved away we had no house and very little money. My dad had to start life over again. I realized that even though life can bring you hard times,  through hard work and sacrifices you can overcome challenges.   When I was in eighth grade my father found out he had cancer. This was another turning point in my life that made me realize that I took many people in my life for granted.  It was a difficult time for my dad and for our family. He was very lucky, however, and he has been in remission for over five years. Before my dad got sick I was going through my rebellious and difficult teenage years. My dad’s illness provided a wake-up call for me and made me realize that my family is important and that I was taking things for granted and taking advantage of the people that loved me. Ever since that time I place my family and above all others and I am very close to my father. I am also grateful to be alive and to experience each new day. Another turning point was when I was in highschool. When I entered highschool I was very unprepared which resulted in poor grades. My worried parents enlisted the help of a highschool teacher who helped me get my act together. My teacher stressed the importance of highschool and developing habits for being effective in college. If it had not been for my highschool I don’t think I would have the determination or drive that I have today. I realized even though I had to work harder than alot of students I could still achieve any goal I desired. A peak experience in my life was when my dad met my stepmother. She is a key figure in my life and has also been influential in helping me realize my goals in life. She is my second mother and she pushes me to achieve all of my aspirations. Throughout my life the people that have been permanent fixtures as well as those that have passed through my life have given me insight on how I should and should not be living. Every person I have encountered in my life has helped mold me into who I am today. I try to pull the good out of even the most negative situation and make it something I can grow from.

How far is too far?

Chapter 3 discusses judgement calls and different situations in which photo-journalists had to judge whether or not to publish certain pictures or to even make a photo opportunity out of a situation. With any kind of media editors and higher ups are looking for news that sells. News that sells most often involves death, scandal, and uncomfortable situations. While the photographer or journalist may be doing their job in taking pictures for these sorts of stories they also have to take into account what kind of harm they could be causing for publishing this type of material. One of the examples used was a photographer who was taking pictures after a 17-year-old boy drowned. There were many pictures of the boy’s body and attempts to revive him. There were also pictures of the boy’s grieving family. By printing pictures of the boy the photographer could be causing possible harm and emotional distress to his family. Instead of focusing on the boy the photographer chose to use pictures of the boy’s grieving family. In situations that could cause a person distress or embarrassment I think it would be difficult to decide on saving the subject of the pictures or selling more stories. If I were the photographer I think I would put myself in the position of the subject of the picture. Would I want someone to publish pictures of me in my moments of raw emotion? While tradegy and scandal sell it is important to have respect for other human beings. In another example a photographer took pictures of a couple making out on a dock. The couple had no idea or at least no concern about being watched in their private moment. The photographer snapped the picture and moved on. Later in the story that photographer uses the photo in an exhibit. A friend of the couple saw the photo and relayed to the photographer that the couple was embarassed about their candid moment being displayed. I think this situation is not as serious as the drowning death, but is still something to be considered. If you would be embarassed or hurt by certain pictures or events then chances are that another person would be as well. If a photographer feels any hestiancy to use photo I think the best policy would be to talk to the subjects of the photos to ensure that the photo opportunity will not cause them any permanent damge. Then again sometimes it is necessary for the photo-journalist to work under pressure and do things that others might not like. At the end of the day it is up to the photographer to decide how well they will sleep at night with the work they have done. It comes down to whether their job or their ethics are more important and of course the type of situation they are photographing.

Getting the Whole Picture

On Wednesday the class discussion on reposnsible reporting made me examine my own ideas of unbiased, yet repsonsible reporting. Although the reporter is the story had a tight deadline and had very little time to interview people, she failed to do all of her fact checking. I think that given her time limit her work was acceptable. She covered the issues at hand, however I think she should have gone back to her editor and told the editor that there was more to the story. This way the editor could have determined whether or not to run the story and write additional follow-up stories or to get more information and write one big story. It is difficult to say whether or not the reporter in the story was wrong becasue she did not incorrectly use facts, she worked with what she had. I think after this story she should have done a follow-up story that further investigated the accusations and had a more in-depth look at the different sides of the case. When reporting it is important to realize that there are deeper things to be investigated besides the facts on the surface. Chances are that if you feel there is more to the story, then there probably is.  It might be painting an inaccurate picture to present only part of the facts or to only skim the surface. It would be like putting together only half of a puzzle and expecting the viewer to see the whole picture. Chances are that the viewer might be able to guess what the picture is, but then again they may not be able to envision what the other half shows. It is a reporter’s job to make sure they put the whole puzzle together so that the viewer is getting the most accurate portrayal as possible. Perhaps the editor in the story planned to run additional coverage of the article, but just wanted to get the first pieces out into the public.