Exam 2 Chapter 7 Flashcards
explain dilemma Caroline lowe faced
police beat reporter for WCCO-TV
police gave her a tip about Hennepin Ave
why they werent stopping it - police said it was prob. with police assigned to the area
if report was broadcast she might lose police sources
Why did she decide to do the story herself
strong belief it should be told
felt ownership of the story
i knew that i would have to live with the story no matter who did it
Why is the selection of sources so important
may affect negatively the variety of info public receives
when public accuse media of bias they point to the selection and treatment of sources
explain importance and difficulties of balance
people under fire be allowed to defend themselves preferably in the same article
difficult to get other side
people make it difficult to get their side of the story (hang up or have relatives shoo them away)
beginning reporters can become
these friendly relationships can?
-the helpful officials may assume that since they helped reporter the reporter will
reporters can avoid this by always remembering
key to developing this kind of relationship
overly dependent on sources
cause problems
reciprocate and write stories that serve the officials interests
you are a reporter and they really arent your friends
treat officers fairly every time
reporters have also been known to
to get around this
easy for source to forget they are reporter
identify too closely with the people they cover
-regularly rotate reporters on beats or assign another reporter to the case
Some reporters have trouble dealing with sources because they believe an adversarial relationship is necessary if the press is to be a true watch-dog of the government and other important institutions.
reporter source relationships are often
create tensions for couple, person on pillow could provide key info but ethical and legal considerations interfere
doomed from the start , someone will get hurt, one will want more from the other professionally because of the intimacy
-women accused of sleeping way to top
one reason American media hesitate to engage in checkbook journalism is the fear that
people will lie or exaggerate
people will withold info unless they are paid for it
if they begin to pay for interviews they will be required to shell out constant stream of cash
