Journalism Ethics: What's Gone Wrong?

The panel discussion began with comments by Joseph Goulden, Director Accuracy in Media, Media Analysis, on the changing standards of journalism ethics. Walter Mears, Vice President & Columnist for the Associated Press, focused on the increased visibility of journalists and questionable speaking honoraria. Brit Hume, ABC Correspondent, addressed the need for visibility on the part of television journalists. He referred to the Vietnam and Watergate stories as creating celebrity journalists. He also talked about the “posse mentality” of congressional committees and reporters investigating a story. Senator Alan Simpson (R-Wyoming) commented on reporters' “obsessive retreat” to the First Amendment when they are criticized. close