Making Ethical Decisions

Scenario 1

If I saw documents on a desk that were related to my investigation on a government officials involvement in a bribery scheme I would read them, although the proper thing would be to ask. My job as a journalist is to get all the facts possible to write my story and have a different story from other journalist who are investigating the same case. Also, the Americans deserve to know the truth on any incriminating information that the official is withholding even if that means breaking certain privacy laws. Asking to read the questions would be out of the question because I would feel that the response would not be truthful and that important details on the documents would not be told. As far as taking the documents I would not to avoid lawsuits, but to tell the official that I read the documents. From there I could for my questions and get all the answers I need for my story.

Scenario 2
If my editor asked me to get a job as an orderly and write a story on substandard conditions at a local nursing home I would accept the request on two reasons. The first being on the phrase “business is business” I have a story to write and a job to keep, and if going undercover is the only way to get the truth I would do it. The second reason would be to inform the people and those families who have residents in those homes. I feel like information is being hidden since the nursing home is denying any information to be said.

Scenario 3
If I was writing a feature story and found excellent quotes from a written source or website I would use them and the cite them. To be a credible journalist it is important that I cite all the quotes I use. Plagiarism is what all writers learn starting in middle school, so it is important to cite any quotes used regardless if those quotes are coming from material that is not published.