First Media Monitor of the first class 2018 August
The first media monitor of the first class (Fair, Foolish, or in a Fix: good practice, violation, or dilemma), can be posted here, either regular or bonus, with deadline in six days or at 5pm of August 29. The post can either be an embedded, or a pasted link leading to the student’s own site. Only a review of events that are current (a review of media coverage starting July 1, 2018 or news events starting July 1, 2018) will be given points. Late submissions are considered a forfeit for the week and would be credited to next week’s media monitor instead; provided that no student would be allowed to exceed the maximum number of media monitor to make up for forfeits or to pile up his/her media monitor posts to make up for forfeits. (a week lost, is lost forever — the credits will be moved forward but only up to the last week before final exams). Instructions have been given in class. (As stated before: Students may use pseudonyms or pen names, and conceal their faces, and may also use their own platforms and simply paste the links in the comments section. (If pseudonymous, pls provide the department assistant with your pen name). Pls use the comments section of this post. As stated, the media monitor commentary may either by typed as text in the comments section or as a link leading to the post in the platform of the classmember/ post author. Pls type in the first line whether the post is a regular media monitor (1st Regular Media Monitor) or a bonus post (type the Bonus Title) to aid the checker in locating and categorizing each box. Tnx). Baseless rants will not merit any points – the commentary should use, cite, and quote the pertinent provisions of the 2014 SPJ Code of Ethics as taken up in class this week. For the succeeding weeks, members of the class should be able to cite also the Philippine Journalists Code of Ethics (PPI Code of Ethics and PPI Expanded Code of Ethics), the KBP Broadcast Code, etc.) Failure to provide the pertinent provision will result in a score of zero. The SPJ provisions have been provided in the handouts distributed in class this week. They were also discussed in powerpoint in class. For students who are completely incapable of reading the handouts given to them, the provisions taken up in class are embedded below. BONUS POSTS FOR DOUBLE THE POINTS As a heads-up, a bonus post on any of the following topics could be submitted in any week for double the points of a regular media monitor post (provided that only one post, either regular or bonus, can be submitted for every week: Choose between either a regular or a bonus in submitting a post; only one post per week will be given points, no cramming of posts is allowed). Please type the bonus title as heading to identify the post. Here are the bonus topics to choose from, in no particular order (choose any one bonus title for any week provided no bonus topic/ no bonus title can be repeated; a class member may post either a regular or a bonus but not both, i.e., only one post per week, no cramming is allowed) : Bonus Title: HATE SPEECH (fomenting prejudices that may lead to violence against those tagged) etc. : A review of any news report or news features on Red-tagging as hate speech or news reports or news features on other forms of hate speech based on gender, race, ethnic origin, poverty, physical appearance, etc. Bonus Title: RAMON TULFO: Ramon Tulfo at the triage of the PGH ER (not news reports on the incident but how he conducted himself; or how his staff “covered” the incident; etc.) Bonus Title: BEN TULFO: Ben Tulfo and contracts with the Department of Tourism as approved by Wanda Teo, and related events, etc. Bonus Title: MARCOS DICTATORSHIP: News reports/ news feature on the Aug. 21 commemoration, and related events; Bonus Title: “DRUG WAR”. Media coverage of crime news reports/ interviews/ features on Operation Tokhang, buy-bust operations, investigations of cases of EJKs related to the drug war, and other related media coverage. Bonus Title: SUPERNATURAL, ASTROLOGY, etc. (leading up to the weeks prior to Oct. 30-31, Nov. 1 ) (this would require advance reading if done earlier than when the topic is taken up in class: the KBP Broadcast Code: ” “Art. 13 SUPERSTITION AND THE OCCULT: “Sec.1 Programs featuring superstitious and pseudo-scientific beliefs and practices, such as supernatural powers, foretelling of the future, astrology, phrenology, palm-reading, numerology, mind-reading, hypnotism, faith healing or similar subjects shall be careful not to induce belief in them. Care shall be taken to prevent the exploitation of people who may be easily swayed by such superstitious and pseudo-scientific beliefs and practices. Sec.2.Programs or program materials that promote or encourage occult practices, black magic, witchcraft, and similar activities are prohibited.” (KBP Broadcast Code) ) Bonus Title: DISASTER-REPORTING: Coverage of the habagat and related events: You can either do some advance-reading of the assigned articles on disaster-reporting as stated in the syllabus; or bank the news report and post it after we take up the topic) Bonus Title: ADVERTORIALS (leading up to the Christmas season) Do not repeat bonus posts or bonus titles. Each of the bonuses can be posted at ANYTIME or in any week in lieu of a regular media monitor (just type the bonus title as heading for ease of identification and recording) As stated, only one media monitor per week (which can either be a regular media monitor or a bonus post) is allowed to avoid cramming and jamming up of posts: the purpose of observing the weekly media monitor is TO BUILD THE HABIT OF READING/ VIEWING MEDIA CONTENT REGULARLY WITH DISCERNMENT. Pls do not embed gory images on this page without a trigger warning. For the first regular media monitor: (2014 SPJ): “SEEK TRUTH AND REPORT IT “Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Journalists should: – Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible. – Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy. – Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story. – Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story. – Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make. – Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources. – Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted. – Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing. – Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public. – Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless. – Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant. – Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all. – Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate. – Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear. – Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting. – Label advocacy and commentary. – Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments. – Never plagiarize. Always attribute. “MINIMIZE HARM “Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect. Journalists should: – Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness. – Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment. – Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast. – Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information. – Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do. – Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges. – Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate ACT INDEPENDENTLY The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public. Journalists should: – Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts. – Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility. – Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not. – Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage. – Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content. BE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public. Journalists should: – Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content. – Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness. – Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly. – Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations. – Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.”
