What do we expect from gossip columnists?
The current turmoil over charges that gossip columnists at the New York Post not only accepted lots of expensive freebies from sources, but that one allegedly attempted to bribe sources, is creating a maelstrom of comment and disgust among journalists. (See this New York Daily News article.) The controversy leads to the inevitable question of whether the same ethical standards we expect from journalists should be applied to gossip columnists. That's the subject of discussion in the pages of the Poynter Institute's ethics columns this week. The question is a good one: do we expect that the "news" we receive about celebrities is really true? Do we expect that the people who bring us this "news" can be free to accept trips, parties and other favors from the celebrities or the PR people who run their clients' lives? What do you think?
posted by Ken Waters | 11:44 AM
1 Comments:
(This is Crystal, by the way.)
Gossip columnists should have the same ethic of truth as journalists. This means the information they choose to print should undergo the same rigorous routine of interview, research and fact-checking.
In an ideal world, gossip columnists would follow the same standards of ethics as journalists as well. They would apply news values rather than appeal to celebrity and prurient interests.
The Page Six fiasco gives journalists a bad name, especially with those like Drudge labeling the gossip guy as a journalist exploiting his clients.
Post a Comment
<< Home