ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the important and complex issues of law and ethics, the cornerstones of good journalism. Accuracy means writing and reporting in a manner that is as objective and fair as possible, despite any personal feeling, belief, or attitude on the subject. A standard duty for broadcast journalists is to cover meetings at the city council, school board, county commission, or any other local, state, or federal governmental agency. All states, plus the federal government, have enacted open records laws that guarantee access to government documents. The difficulty for reporters is that online legal and ethical standards may not mirror those for traditional TV newscasts. Protecting sources is crucial for reporters, especially when the story carries political, social, or economic impact. Fairness is both a legal and an ethical consideration, which poses a simple question: Do broadcast stations have a legal responsibility to be fair?