Ethical journalism

As you might or might not know, I have a degree in strategic communications from Oklahoma State University. Although the majority of my studies were in public relations, I did write for my university newspaper for one semester and had my fair share of writing/reporting/journalism classes as well as an ethics class. I also read a book called “Trust Me, I’m Lying” for my capstone campaigns class that was about the world of online media, blogging, etc. and how much more often things are reported that are untrue than when we only had print news. Bloggers make it more about getting the breaking news out first than about getting their facts straight. I don’t know about you, but because of my schooling, I follow a lot of journalists and communications professionals on Twitter, and this issue was ALL over Twitter this week!

Of course you’ve all heard about the bombing at the Boston Marathon on Monday. Information was flooding in on Monday about the incident, and I heard multiple stories that ended up being untrue. Some were not very harmful, simply stories about supposed victims and their stories (I saw a picture on Twitter of a guy who was apparently going to propose at the finish line and his girlfriend died…ended up being untrue). Others, however, were completely untrue information that I’m confused as to how reporters even got a hold of. I heard law enforcement found an explosive at the library and conducted a controlled explosion. I later found out this didn’t happen. I think the biggest false report made was one by CNN that claimed that law enforcement had a suspect in custody on Monday. The fact that such a major, trusted, credible news outlet reported this and it ended up being untrue is ridiculous to me. From then on, I questioned every report I read, and that’s where the danger is.

As the public, we trust our news outlets to do their job and deliver us the news. True, accurate news. Yes, the sooner the better, but what good is false information even if it is the fastest? When the incidents on Thursday night took place, I was relying on a reporter from The Oklahoman via Twitter rather than any national news outlets (which took quite a while to start to cover the events anyway). Yes, still a reporter, but one I trust more than other outlets just trying to get hits on their website. It honestly got to the point where I didn’t truly believe any reports unless there were quotes from law enforcement, who were by far the most trustworthy people in this case for the public.

I read a tweet that said years from now, no one will remember who reported the news first, but they will remember if you got it wrong. I will forever remember that CNN reported a suspect was in custody for a terrorist attack when there were not even actual suspects at the time. Who cares if you got the news out first if it’s completely untrue?

On another note, kudos to Boston and MIT law enforcement, the FBI and everyone else involved with finding this man. I hope we can get some answers out of him. Not that I will understand any of his reasons for doing what he did, but answers and some sort of closure is always a relief. I live thousands of miles away from Boston, and I was a little bit freaked out going to work on Friday morning (Friday was also the anniversary of the OKC Bombing, which was also unsettling). I’m glad the suspect was found so that Boston residents could finally sleep easy after a horrifying week.

What do you all think? Don’t you agree that getting it right is better than getting it out first? Did you read any false reports this week? How did you feel toward the news outlet?

Praying for Boston.

Just wanted to take a quick minute to express thoughts and prayers for anyone involved with the explosions in Boston. It’s been a sad week in America, and the death of a local police officer in Oklahoma City had already put a damper on our Monday. Chad Peery was paralyzed in 2011 after he tried to break up a bar fight and was brutally beaten. He has been honored in the community and at Oklahoma City Thunder games and was an inspiration to many. I attended a Thunder game where he was honored, and I didn’t know much of his story but I was truly touched. To maintain such a positive attitude through such a horrific tragedy is so inspirational and I know Peery will be remembered greatly by the Oklahoma City community.

Photo courtesy of newsok.com.

Later that day, we all heard of the explosions at the Boston Marathon. I feel like it’s always a state of confusion immediately when these kind of things happen. I saw a picture on Twitter, but “explosion” was used, not “bombing,” so I thought (and hoped) perhaps at first it could have been an accident, although my gut told me otherwise. When things like this happen in our county, I (as I’m sure many others) just wonder why. I can’t fathom what would give someone the thought to hurt so many innocent people, but I think it’s best that way. Events such as this, as well as 9/11, the OKC bombing and the Sandy Hook tragedy just to name a few, aren’t meant to be understood in my opinion. I’m thankful that I can’t wrap my mind around something like this, and my deepest thoughts and prayers are with victims, families and residents of Boston. I know from experience the effect this type of thing can have on a community, and I wish the best for everyone involved. I’m sure many have seen the quote from Mr. Rogers, and I think it’s important in times like this. Despite the evil in our world, the good still outweighs it.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”