Ethics Debate arises daily at papers
Panelists (left to right) Ted Diadiun, Mary Jane Skala and Jean
Dubail take time to discuss Ethics with CSU students.
By Melanie Murphy“Ethics in the Newsroom” was the topic of a panel discussion held on April 17 at Drinko Hall. The event, hosted by the CSU Student Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, featured Ted Diadiun, The Plain Dealer’s reader representative; Jean Dubail, The Plain Dealer’s online editor; and Mary Jane Skala, senior editor for Sun News’ east office.
“Ethics come up on a daily basis, not just in (Sun’s) weekly meetings,” said Skala.
Skala was faced with a decision when an assistant editor was personally involved with a breaking news story in Mayfield Heights. A man and his daughter were shot and killed by a gunman who turned the gun on himself. It turns out that the woman was the girlfriend of the assistant editor.
While television newscasts were airing false information about the story, the assistant editor had the inside details that no one else had. He knew the gunman was an ex-boyfriend of the woman and he’s from Pennsylvania. The assistant editor shared with Skala a lot of information about the woman. Skala, who wrote down all the information during their telephone conversation, asked if she could use the information in the story. But, the assistant editor said no.
“I was sitting on a great first person story, but I couldn’t use it,” said Skala. The only thing that was published was one quote from him that read, “She was my inspiration.”
“I felt I made the wrong decision as a journalist (by not publishing the whole conversation), but people said I made the right decision as a human being.”
Drawing from his experience, Diadiun said, “People think journalists are like they portray in the movies, but we try to look at humanity.”
The panelists shared similar experiences.
“Usually we don’t name juveniles, but once the name is out there, it’s public knowledge and that’s the only time we use it,” said Skala.
Dubail added, “If it is a public record, we have the legal right to include names. Some people think privacy overrules everything and sometimes it does.”
Lawsuits are another issue reporters and editors have to take into consideration.
“We don’t run scared from lawsuits. We do have lawyers that look over stories if we are nervous on if we are being fair,” said Diadiun. “Readers need to know you are not afraid to publish things, otherwise your credibility goes out the window.”
As the reader representative for The Plain Dealer, Diadiun often receives feedback from readers -- both positive and negative.
“Hostility equals passion,” said Diadiun. “We’ve moved them even if it’s a complaint.”
Skala also deals with reader’s opinions. “I say thank you,” said Skala. “At least they are reading.”
In the newsroom, reporters are constantly deciding whether information is rumor or whether it’s news and needs to be reported, according to Diadiun.
“At some point the paper has to step in and set the record straight. I think you should put what you know in the paper and arm people with information,” said Diadiun. “People count on us to publish news they can count on. Hopefully we built a level of trust and confidence with our readers that they can rely on what we say.”
Mike Kohuth, senior journalism major and vice president of SPJ, said, “They provided students with useful insight of newspaper ethics.”
Reach this Stater reporter at m.m.murphy86@csuohio.edu
