Everyday Ethics

I'm a big believer in the spirit and the substance of the First Amendment, but I'm angry when I see journalists do foolish things.

I believe irresponsible journalism undermines public support for the First Amendment and the essential role of the free press in our democratic society.

I'm particularly pained when I see student journalists blunder badly.

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Take the case of the campus newspaper at Central Connecticut State University. The opinion editor of The Recorder wrote a terribly misguided and harmful article that, in a failed attempt at satire, advocated the benefits of sexual assault. 

John Petroski's article was headlined, "Rape Only Hurts If You Fight It."

As The Hartford Courant reported, Petroski's article created a firestorm of protest. And well it should have. I can see no legitimacy in either the intent or the execution of this article.

Petroski's imprudent attempt at humor was profoundly harmful.

The failure of editors to exercise oversight was shameful.

Petroski did apologize, and the Recorder's editors issued a statement saying they regretted the harm the article caused. However, the Record's editor, Mark Rowan, is quoted in the Courant defending the original purpose of Petroski's article.

Student journalists at the high school and college level have a unusual opportunity to learn the craft of journalism and to give members of their school communities meaningful information about relevant issues and events. Given that these are student journalists, the quality of the work may fall short of professional standards.

But it pains me greatly when I see student journalists abuse the power of the press.

It angers me when I see student journalists throw ethics to the wind and use journalism irresponsibly.

This happened recently at Princeton University when journalists at The Daily Princetonian published what is called a "joke issue." This has been a long tradition for many campus newspapers. The staff publishes an edition of the newspaper with untrue stories that are intended to poke fun at school officials, professors, school policies and even fellow students.

The "joke issue" has always been a bad idea.

As The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, the Princetonian's bad humor created big problems. As I told the Inquirer, "joke issues often backfire. While the intent may be to offer humor about serious issues, the quality of the humor often falls short and the other weaknesses of satire become apparent."

Even disclaimers are not sufficient, I pointed out.

"Journalists always have responsibility for what they publish and present. You cannot disclaim responsibility."

I believe in a spirited, aggressive form of journalism that informs and enlightens. And I accept journalism that also entertains when it's done well and responsibly.

I'm saddened when I learn about what happened at CCSU and Princeton. I'm concerned about the harm these student journalists caused. I'm also very concerned about the far-reaching effects these young journalists' actions might have on the credibility of journalists and journalism across the land.