Ethical Journalism Newsletter: December 2nd, 2014

Ethical Journalism News

The Readers’ Editor: An Ignored Element Of Self-Regulation

Under certain conditions, a readers’ editor can bring greater transparency and accountability to a news organisation, qualities that the media constantly demands of other democratic institutions. Sumana Ramanan talks about her experience working as the readers’ editor at the Hindustan Times‘ from October 2008 to January 2013. (via The Hoot)

Malaysia: Child Privacy And The Media

WCC welcomes the recent decision by the Attorney-General Chambers to prosecute a news producer who allegedly broadcasted a charge sheet leading to the identification of a child victim in a rape case two years ago. This has the potential to be a landmark case, as this is the first instance where the media have been charged for breaching a child’s right to privacy in Malaysia. (via The Malaysian Insider)

When The Media Gets It Right: How Thalidomide Stories Spurred Federal Action

Journalists have long struggled to raise issues that are in the public interest and to draw attention to larger problems, from social inequality and public-health danger to government overspending and misappropriation. In this case, “for decades, the plight of those suffering has been shunted to the sidelines,” says editor-in-chief David Walmsley. “Well, no more. The Globe is proud to help those in need, to guide government from a position of inaction to one that better reflects the duty of care.” (via The Globe and Mail)

Should The Times Have ‘Left It Out’ — and What, Exactly, Was ‘It’?

When in doubt, leave it out. So goes the old expression about editing a news story. Of course, that wisdom always works best in retrospect. And retrospect requires actual facts, not misinformation. (via The New York Times)

What To Look Out For Before Sharing Stories From Social Media

BBC News social media editor Chris Hamilton shares some tips for dealing with suspicious user-generated content. (via Journalism.co.uk)

Sun Picture Editor Rarely Checked Veracity Of Payment Requests For Photos, Court Hears

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow pressed picture editor John Edwards on whether payments were always to the photographer or whether it was for a source who gave them the “opportunity to take the photo”. (via The Guardian)

Events

EJN Members Meeting

London, UK

December 4th: EJN supporters are invited to our meeting where we will discuss our programmes for 2015 and the launch of the network as a formal charity registered in the UK. There will also be a discussion on how we follow up the recent international reports on self-regulation and media corruption.