Ethical Journalism Weekly Roundup: March 5, 2014

Survey Reveals That Journalists Are Suffering Abuse On Social Media

“Have you been abused because you are a journalist? Evidently, according to some tentative initial research, people are often using social media in order to insult, and even threaten, reporters.

Researchers at the University of Central Lancashire are hoping to discover whether the problem is widespread and how abused journalists are dealing with it. They want media professionals to take part in a short online survey – it’s here – which allows respondents to see the current results.” (Read the full article on The Guardian)

Masked Gunmen Seize Crimean Investigative Journalism Center

“As Russian troops streamed into Crimea, Ukraine, masked gunmen broke into and seized the office of the Crimean Center for Investigative Journalism in the region’s capital, Simferopol. The group of about 30 men, dressed in military fatigues, targeted offices housing the Information and Press Center, a hub for independent media in the region, and the Crimean investigative center.” (Read the full article on Global Investigative Journalism Network)

Maltese Journalists To Get New Ethics Code

“The Institute of Maltese Journalists is planning to set up a new code of ethics this year, Malta Today reported. Malcolm Naudi, the council’s chairman, said to Malta Today that the institute is ‘seeking to introduce new blood into the Institute, adopting a five-year plan of action and adopting a new code of journalism ethics with the approval of all the major players in the media.'” (Read the full article on iMediaEthics)

Media Ethics In Pakistan: A Case Study Shows Questionable Conduct

“Reporting on a conflict situation, especially one that involves hostages and rescue operations, is an extremely sensitive and risky affair. And in the case of Muhammad Sikandar, a lot of basic rules of journalism were broken — formal and informal rules and indeed, rules the media had set for itself once upon a time.” (Read the full article on Dawn)

If Native Advertising Is So Harmless, Why Does It Rely On Misleading Readers?

“The devil walks into a bar and sits at a table with eight newspaper and magazine publishers plus one strange little fellow in shabby, dated robes. The devil says, ‘How’d you all like to get some advertising revenue at higher rates than what you’ve been fetching for the past five or six years?'” (Read the full article on The Guardian)

Ethical Questions Arise When Quoting Sources From Social Media

“There comes a certain line where content posted on Twitter or Facebook should be left just as that: online commentary. Regardless of the subject and its importance, I would not like my Facebook status published as my definitive word by various news outlets.” (Read the full article on NewsZou)

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Photo credit: Flickr CC brian glanz