Dirty secrets and broken news part 2

Westminster Cable Network investigates Access Journalism and various issues that arise when ethical standards are ignored or neglected in the journalism field.

Podcast host Josh Dunn, with the help of four fellow reporters, interview a number of different people in various outlets of the media to hear their take on these issues.

First, we explore the dirty little secrets of “checkbook journalism” as Andrea Tice interviews Eric Deggans, a journalist from the Tampa Bay Times. Deggans explains how the recent Casey Anthony case in Florida is a classic example of why paying for interviews is not just a bad idea, but an unethical practice.

Then, Jarred Treshok introduces us to the issue of “bigfoot journalism” in the media. This idea depicts situations when reporters from large media markets become the first to report a story, whether or not they were the news outlet to break the story. Treshok interviewed Westminster College lecturer of broadcast communications about this issue.

Next, Liam Halferty and Stephanie Oleyar each take a look at the practice of “journalism poaching.” Halferty talks to Mitch Olszak, the news editor of the New Castle News in New Castle, Pa to get his insight on not only interview practices, but practicing journalism ethics as a whole. Oleyar talks about this issue with Dr. Colleen Burke from Westminster College.

Take a listen to see how these different ethics issues are apparent in the field of journalism, and the different perspectives that each segment offers.