The post Testing boundaries – scenario first appeared on Media Helping Media.
]]>In this scenario we look at a situation where an editor faces breaking protocol because of the strength of a story.
As one of the editors of a government radio news service in a developing democracy you receive information of an imminent threat of famine in a rural area of the country.
You are told that, unless immediate action is taken by the government and the international community, thousands of people are likely to die in the next few months.
You know that the government is aware of the situation but would rather not publicise the threatened famine in the hope that it passes unnoticed, as it has often done in the past.
In a recent visit to the famine-threatened region you saw thousands of tonnes of grain being readied for export to foreign markets by remote merchants.
Your research uncovered that these same merchants are known to have financed the mechanised farming of grain in the famine-threatened region.
The grain they harvest, you discovered, is largely intended for export to countries which are known to provide financial aid to your national government.
As you consider what to do, a written press release arrives on your desk from a commissioner of the famine-threatened region, pleading for immediate assistance.
The press release was sent to you specifically in the hope that you would broadcast the information.
You suspect that if you seek clearance from “above” to publish the information your request will either be refused, delayed, or will possibly disappear altogether.
As a result, the available grain will likely be exported and the famine will possibly take its toll.
If you allow the information to be broadcast, and point out the availability of the grain destined for export out of the region, it may shame the government into doing something, such as putting an embargo on the exportation of the grain from the region.
However, broadcasting the information could put your job at risk.
How a journalist responds to such a situation will differ from country to country and culture to culture. There is no easy answer here. However, in the scenario set out above the journalist decided on option 2.
They went ahead and broadcast the information they had without ‘referring up’ because they feared they would be blocked, and they considered it to be more important to save lives than save their career.
After the information had been broadcast they received a stern telling off, but kept their job.
And as a result of the information being broadcast on the government radio channel the authorities announced an embargo on the exportation of grain until enough was available for the hungry in the region.
All the scenarios on Media Helping Media are based on actual events.
The scenario tests the boundaries of journalistic ethics in a developing democracy. An editor of a government radio news service receives information about an imminent threat of famine in a rural area. The government is aware of the situation but prefers not to publicise it. The editor discovers that thousands of tonnes of grain are being readied for export by merchants who financed mechanised farming in the famine-threatened region. A press release arrives from a commissioner of the region, pleading for immediate assistance and hoping the editor will broadcast the information. The editor suspects that seeking clearance to publish the information will result in it being blocked or delayed, leading to the famine taking its toll. Prioritising saving lives over their career, the editor decides to broadcast the information without approval. As a result, the authorities announced an embargo on the exportation of grain.
This scenario presents a complex ethical dilemma, deeply rooted in the tension between journalistic integrity, government accountability, and humanitarian urgency. Let’s dissect the situation and explore its implications:
Deepening the analysis:
Analysing the options:
This scenario serves as a powerful reminder of the ethical challenges faced by journalists in developing democracies. It highlights the importance of courage, integrity, and a commitment to serving the public interest. The editor’s decision to broadcast the information, despite the risks, is a testament to the power of journalism to make a difference. However, it also underscores the need for systemic change to ensure that such acts of bravery are not necessary.
The post Testing boundaries – scenario first appeared on Media Helping Media.
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