media-ethics4.275 min read
Megan Thee Stallion's Documentary Sparks Controversy and Confessions
1 year ago•Source: The Root
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4.545 min•1 year ago
"New York Times Under Fire: Controversies Surrounding Israel Reporting"
The union representing New York Times employees has accused the company of racially targeting employees with Middle Eastern or North African backgrounds in a leak investigation related to the paper's coverage of Hamas attacks in Israel. The investigation has triggered tensions in the newsroom, with employees being questioned about their involvement in an affinity group and their private conversations. The Times's reporting on gender-based violence during the attacks has faced criticism, leading to the shelving of a planned podcast episode. The existence of the leak investigation has surprised observers, with concerns raised about the chilling effect it has had on internal discussions.
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"NY Times Faces Backlash and Leak Probe Over Israel-Gaza Coverage"
New York Post •1 year ago
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"New York Times Under Fire for Controversial Reporting on Hamas Attack"
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"Business Insider Stands Firm on Reporting Amid Plagiarism Feud and Legal Threat"
Business Insider and its parent company, Axel Springer, stand by their reports accusing former MIT professor Neri Oxman of plagiarism, despite complaints from her husband, Bill Ackman. The articles raised questions about academic dishonesty and the outlet's independence, prompting a review. Business Insider's CEO defended the stories as newsworthy and well-documented, asserting editorial independence and denying unfair bias. Ackman criticized the timing and impact of the articles, while Oxman's husband claimed they caused severe emotional harm. Former Harvard President Claudine Gay, targeted in the articles, denounced the campaign against her as based on lies and ad hominem insults.
Prince Harry's Phone Hacking Lawsuit Exposes Perilous Press Practices
The coverage of Prince Harry's phone hacking case by the British press reflects a failure to address the crisis within the industry. Most newspapers either downplayed the story or cast doubt on Harry's credibility, rather than acknowledging the illegal and unethical practices exposed. This approach mirrors how the press initially handled the scandal, shifting blame onto individuals rather than addressing systemic issues. With ongoing hacking litigation involving over 100 claimants, the reputation of the press is at risk. The article argues that the industry needs to take responsibility, admit past wrongdoing, and work towards rebuilding trust, rather than relying on self-regulation or dismissing the issue. Failure to do so may lead to the media's self-destruction.
Prince Harry's Phone Hacking Case: Landmark Ruling and Call for Prosecutions
In the recent phone hacking ruling, evidence presented in court suggests that former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan was aware of phone hacking practices at Mirror Group Newspapers. While not all allegations against Morgan have been proven, testimonies from witnesses and evidence linking him to discussions about hacked voicemails raise questions about his involvement. The judge also found that other editors and executives at the Mirror Group were aware of hacking, but failed to report it to the board. Morgan denies any involvement in phone hacking and claims that no actual evidence has been produced against him.
"Newsrooms Grapple with Ethical Dilemmas Amidst Graphic War Images"
Newsrooms are facing difficult decisions about which images to publish and which to withhold in the coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. The visual chronicle of the conflict has become a case study of disinformation, with both sides weaponizing photographs and photojournalism. News organizations must consider factors such as the graphic nature of the images, the potential harm to the audience, and the responsibility to victims and their families. They also need to assess the newsworthiness and integrity of the images, especially when they come from state-run agencies. Limited access to Gaza and restrictions imposed by Hamas and the Israeli military further complicate the coverage. The decision to publish shocking images can have significant consequences, as seen in the case of the iconic photograph of the screaming Vietnamese girl during the Vietnam War.
"Israel's Accusations of Media Collaboration with Hamas: Unveiling the Truth"
HonestReporting, an Israeli media advocacy group, accepted the denials by Reuters, the Associated Press, CNN, and The New York Times that they had no prior knowledge of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. HonestReporting had questioned whether Palestinian photojournalists had tipped off the news organizations, which had used their images. HonestReporting distanced itself from Israeli government accusations and condemned calls for violence or death threats against media workers. The organization's article brought attention back to the Oct. 7 events, but it did not provide evidence of prior knowledge by the news groups.
Media Outlets Respond to Allegations of Prior Knowledge and Collaboration with Hamas
Reuters has denied allegations made by media advocacy group HonestReporting that it and other international news organizations had prior knowledge of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians and soldiers. HonestReporting raised ethical questions about news coverage, but Reuters stated that it did not have prior knowledge of the attack and did not embed journalists with Hamas. Reuters acquired photographs from Gaza-based freelance photographers who were at the border on the morning of Oct. 7, after the attack had already taken place. The Israeli government has demanded explanations from Reuters and other news organizations regarding the allegations. The Associated Press also denied having prior knowledge of the attack.
"Photojournalists' Alleged Prior Knowledge of Hamas Attack in Gaza"
Media watchdog raises questions about the presence of photographers from AP, CNN, NYT, and Reuters at the scene of the October 7 massacre perpetrated by Hamas terrorists. The watchdog questions why the photographers were there early in the morning, whether it was coordinated with Hamas, and if the media outlets approved of their presence. A photo shows a freelance photographer receiving a kiss on the cheek from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, leading to CNN suspending him.
Media Bias and the Gaza Hospital Blast: Fueling Tensions or Seeking the Truth?
The New York Times published an editors' note acknowledging that their initial coverage of an explosion at a hospital in Gaza City relied too heavily on claims by Hamas officials and did not adequately verify the information. The note states that the report left readers with an incorrect impression and outlines the steps the Times plans to take to cover the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Controversial Guest Sparks Show Cancellation and Damage Control for NPR Affiliate
Boston's NPR station, WBUR, pulled a program from national distribution after a professor expressed doubt that women and children had been killed by Hamas during a recent attack on Israel. The program featured Khaled Hroub, a professor at Northwestern University in Qatar, who claimed that the reports of Hamas killing civilians were fabricated and that Israeli media feeds misinformation. WBUR stated that the episode did not meet their editorial standards and felt compelled to pull it due to the danger of misinformation. Northwestern University distanced itself from Hroub's comments and strongly condemned any attempt to minimize or misrepresent the terror attacks.
Fox News Issues Apology to Gold Star Family for False Story, Amid Backlash
Fox News has issued an apology to a Gold Star family after publishing a false story claiming that the family had to pay $60,000 to ship the remains of their fallen relative back from Afghanistan. The apology came after it was revealed that senior members of the Marine Corps had repeatedly notified Fox News executives about the false story. The Marine Corps spokesman accused the outlet of capitalizing on the tragedy for "cheap clickbait points." Fox News initially changed the headline but later deleted the story without explanation or correction. This unethical behavior is not uncommon for Fox News, which has previously settled a defamation case with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million. The outlet still faces a $2.7 billion lawsuit from Smartmatic.