NEWS SCOOPS – THE MORAL MAZE

Hearing accounts of Rebekah Brooks actions during her stint at both The Sun and the News of the World editor has highlighted for me the moral dilemma of those who report on our news stories.

Whilst bribery in any form is not to be condoned, the high level of interest seems to be centred on monies paid to those in public office. There does, however, not seem to be quite the same level of frenzied activity in uncovering those who accepted payment in exchange for information; or consideration for the fact that you can only bribe someone who is willing to be bribed. 

A recent conversation with a local newspaper editor in relation to the moral issues surrounding the reporting of breaking news stories has provided me with much food for thought. The discussion mainly centred on the dilemma that reporters and editors face when deciding whether or not to pursue a story that has seemingly landed in their lap.

Should the press report on matters that are ‘of public interest’ or ‘in the public interest’? There is a world of difference between the two.

On the one hand we have the public interest and enthusiasm of tabloid readers for the salacious and intimate details of others’ private lives, and their impending social or political demise when exposed. Such are the stories that make up the bulk of national news reporting from the red tops; running for as long as it takes to squeeze every last headline grabbing morsel from the tale of someone’s downfall.

Then there are those accounts, seemingly of a similar nature, where the issues uncovered are ‘in the public interest‘; where the actions of those concerned have in some way had an impact, often negative, affecting the lives of the public at large.

The two may well be linked, but at a local level different factors come into play in making the finely balanced judgements on whether to report or not.  Far from providing juicy gossip fodder to raise readership figures, albeit temporarily, there does need to be consideration of the implications of bringing to light such personal issues as adultery, fraud, dishonesty; a whole raft of situations. 

Were I in a position to influence our local media, one question I would ask is ‘What will be achieved by bringing this matter into the public domain?’  In addition to the perpetrator, it may well be that others are involved, family, friends, colleagues, who in turn may become the innocent victims of someone else’s behaviour, words or actions.

I believe that in the case of our local regional press, which has a much closer relationship with its readers than the national press, there is a duty of responsibility in the reporting of events. Whilst a news ‘scoop’ may well satisfy certain editorial egos, a responsible editor, in addition to taking into account any legal implications, will want to consider the effect on its readership and the local community.

I’d call this responsible reporting; something we should all be proud of in relation to our local media. This is why they are so valued and trusted.