A Crisis In Journalism

A recent reader wonders what the big deal is over CBS and Rathergate.

After all - no one died.

Here are some excellent reasons why, despite no loss of life, this is a very big deal.

The credibility and integrity of anyone directly involved in this CBS story is lost, I believe. They have been complicit in the stonewall as well as tarring the integrity of those who pointed out discrepancies in their reporting. The "experts" they've put forth in their defense wouldn't pass muster at a high school newspaper.

Furthermore, the credibility and integrity of every other journalist at CBS News is in question.

At what point do the members of a news organization have an ethical duty or responsibility to speak out against their own organization? Shouldn't those who claim to be journalists and reporters hold themselves to a higher standard? Shouldn't they demand the same of the organization to which they belong? Reporters rely on ethical individuals in other institutions to blow the whistle when there are critical lapses in those organizations. Where are the journalistic whistleblowers at CBS? What CBS reporter has the courage to say that their organization is engaged in an ongoing violation of basic journalistic ethics? What are we to say about those reporters who simply do nothing?

Moreover, the entire journalistic profession is threatened by the actions of a rogue CBS. Many, such as ABC, the Washington Post and the Dallas Morning News, have done good work. Still, now that CBS continues to engage in ongoing violations of basic journalistic ethics, what will other major media organizations do? Their credibility is not entirely separate from CBS's.

I am serious when I say that this has become a crisis for journalism.

Mainstream media plays an important role in our society. It will and should continue to play an important role. I know we would all be poorer without major news organizations gathering and disseminating information.

The actions of CBS threaten more than CBS.

Comments

[Bill]

The reader's response is a standard type of dismissal -- trivialize the question and ignore the principles. I guess they haven't thought far enough to realize that people live and die according to principles, or the lack thereof, every day.