7th August 2015
By Stefanie Chernow

Ethical Journalism Newsletter: August 7, 2015

News and Debates

Journalists on the media beat critique Jon Stewart on his last day

Satire is not journalism and can not be reasonably held to the same standard. Yet no modern media critic has gained the prominence and influence that Jon Stewart enjoys. Media and TV reporters evaluate the comedian’s legacy of calling out journalistic misdeeds and make the distinction between free speech and ethical journalism. (Read more on Poynter)

Press council urges better reporting of violence, sex abuse, race and religion

Media watchdog’s chairman, David Weisbrot, says society wants journalists to improve how they report sensitive matters such as domestic violence. (Read more on the Guardian)

Do ISIS’s atrocities against Christians, Yazidis and Shias really amount to genocide?

Journalists should be careful of the consequences in using the word “genocide” – however when it comes to ISIS the experts agree the term is warranted. (Read more on Religion News Service)

Ten tips for keeping your focus while editing

Sometimes it can be difficult to keep your focus, but ethical journalism requires full attention to detail. Here are 10 tips that will help you keep focused and going strong. (Read more on the American Copy Editors Society)

Troubled BMJ news release on young fathers & early death risk

Scientific journalists must understand limitations of observational studies and refrain from drawing hard conclusions from causal evidence. (Read more on Health News Review)