Situation Two
You are the online editor for a local TV news station in a city with a large university. The college football team unexpectedly wins a game against its chief rival. The crowd spills out of the stadium and onto the street, just as night falls. Almost immediately, the scene turns violent, with fans overturning vehicles and fights erupting. A student you do not know calls the station to tell you she has a camera and is capturing video in the center of the storm, which she’ll sell to your station. What do you do?
Join Poynter ethicist Bob Steele in discussing the Poynter tips and how they were applied by commenting below.
43 comments:
In Situation 2, the editor who analyzes this case uses the term “freelancer” to describe the student with the camera that captures video. Is that really the case, or is the student just an “eyewitness” to the violence who records some of the incident? Does it make a difference? What different values might a “freelancer” and an “eyewitness” bring to recording video of this incident?
How does the principle of “independence” enter into this case? How would it relate to decisions about the video offered to the station? To reporting on a major local institution like the University?
id take the video its an interesting story
I would not take the video because of rule number 4, promote justice wherever possible within the limits of your craft or profession. It is not fair to the people in the video that did not know they were being taped that you show it. It may cause more issues than before.
I would take the video because of commandment #1- be interesting. This is a large university so it's probably interesting to residents of this city.
I would tell the video taper that we would like to see the video first. Its like buying a car, you have to know if youre satisfied. I base this on the fairness commandment.
i would get my own reporters out there and if we get nothing and the $ is within limits sure.
if the video is good and the student isn't asking for a ton of money, then buy it. commandment #1-be interesting.
I would take the video, because it's different and i think it would be interesting for people to read and plus i wouldn't i want rumors to go around so we would just state the fact.
i would take the video if they weren't asking for very much money because then you're being intersesting and your station will probably be the only station that got it from that angle.
I would post it because of rule # 4 promote justice. You would also get good ratings and people could alert the police of people they recognized
I would use this video as much as possible because we are supossed to "be interesting" and this is a very interesting story that shows people commiting crimes. I would also,therefor post this because we are supposed to promote justice.
I would first want to see if the video actually exists before actually agreeing to buy it from the student. I would base my decision off of commandment # 1, be interesting because the story would attract a lot of attention.
Well this can be a sketchy scenario with whoever is handling the phone call. You would need to consult with the whole station to see if they'd like to buy it before you make a decision, because making a decision on your own isn't always the best. Unless you have the authority of the station to make decisions such as this. This scenario attributes with all of the nearly absolute journalistic principles.
I would have some of my reporters go there but if they didn't get anything I would take the video because of rule #1, "Be Interesting".
I would try and get my own reporters there as fast as I could. I would want watch the the video before using the footage but if it was good, yes I would use it. Because of prinipal number 1. I think it would be intresting to show footage.
I would buy the video. I don't see why you wouldn't.
i would personally go to the scene, but stay a safe distance away. (be a trustworthy surrogate) i would also take the video and watch it to add to the story.
I would buy the video because of the commandment "be interesting" but first before I would buy it I would ask to look at it and make sure it is legit. I would also try to make sure that I got the only copy so that this person doesn't try to sell it to other competitors and once I got the video and posted it I would blur out the peoples faces because I didnt have their permission to show their faces. I think by buying this video it would add a lot to the story and it would also make you look good because you would have actual footage of the violence.
I would definitely take the video. This clip could give you an edge over other stations, which would result in more profit. It would be interesting and would give you the inside scoop. I would make sure the video was credible and this person isn't just trying to rip you off. This video would also help bring people to justice. I would be following rule #1, be interesting.
I would not accept the video because of rule number 4. promote justice wherever possible within the limits of your craft or profession.The people in the video had no idea you were taking it and may have acted differently if they were aware of your presence.
I wouldn't use it because I would be embarrassed if anyone could pull up a video of my getting beat up. Principle #2
I would take the video because commandment 1 and you would be the only station with live footage.
i say we would take a look at thte video and if its good use it. also if the kid doesnt want a ton of money. commandment #1 be interesting
I would take it because of rule #1 be interesting. This is a good story and people will want to hear about it if their home team won against their rivals. The violence can just add to the fact that they were rivals and there is tension between them.
I would send reporters to the scene to interview anyone who happens to be left by the time they get there. I would offer the frelance videographer extra money not only for the clip but for them not to sell if to other stations as well. It would the most effective if it was only seen on a single station.
Forgot to mention that my decision was based on Commandment #1 (Be interesting.).
If the video was intresting I would but I would have to see if fisrt. Be Intresting :)
I would not but the video. Instead I would go there myself to get my own perspectives on things and to make sure that what she said was happening really was. I would say that because Commandment 3 be a trustworthy surrogate. If it was not as bad as it seemed then I think people should really know that.
First i would ask to take a look at the video, if it is legit i would buy it. Before i posted it i would get permission from the people in the video and make sure that they are okay with them in it. If so then i would because it's such an interesting topic. I chose this based on commandment #1 and principle #2.
I would buy the video, first look at it to make sure its legit. Priniciple 3 promote justice whenever possible.
Yes. You need to promote justice, in case someone got hurt or killed. If it's caught on tape, you can see who did it. But you always need to be interesting, and this is clearly a big event.
I would take this video. I would take it because of rule number one. Be interesting. It is a moment in time that if the public didnt hear about it, they would probably ask themselves 'why isnt the paper issuing this time'. It also has to do localy so it is a big deal and should be viewed.
well first off i would verify the video to make sure its accuate and i think i would report it because it is interesting to the public. it is a bit ify because the team could suffer so we need to be heedful of the rights of others. i think i would try to make it seem not so dramatic so that no one gets hurt.
I would take this video because of rule number 1 Be Interesting. That could throw anyone and everyone off guard. It could be promoted to bigger company's which would get you more money and it could have a twist to it instead of violent behavior. I would take this video.
Yea, I would definitely take the tape. It's interesting to everyone to hear about but it's a lot more interesting to see it happening. It also promotes justice as for you would get video of some of the people fighting or flipping cars.
I would take the video because it is interesting and you don't hear that everyday.
Also number 1.
i would take the video because a fight is always interesting, i would just blur the faces so nobody would know who it was.
I would buy the video from the girl. It could have interesting footage that would intrigue the viewers to watch.
I don't think I would buy the tape because it's not worth it. It says be a trustworthy serrogate #3 and I don't like school rivery any how. Don't get me wrong I like the pressure and intensity but I just think it gets to far sometimes.
I would take the video.Commandment number one says be interesting. I would first watch the video to see if it was appropriete then run bits of it.
I would buy it becuase of the Rule #4 promote justice. But i would ask to see the video first cause it could be a bad video that gives you nothing or it could be good. So you got to know what your buying
It depends on the price and what the video is like, if those are reasonable, buy the video. This is zach
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