Navigating Trump Redux

For the record I did not vote for either major party candidate, I could not condone the genocide or the killing our colonizing nation lusts for…..

This week we have all been greeted by the return of the Donald, following Grover Cleveland as the most recent President to gain a second term after losing four years earlier. Looking at the coverage from the mainstream media we could feign surprise or claim our country is filled with racist, high school dropout neanderthals as 70+ million American voters have been cast. Truthfully to me this is as vile as the conservatives quest to eradicate any gains made to allow Americans to be respected for how they identify, without fear of discrimination. I find it deplorable and a result of what the powers that be want, fighting each other over cultural issues while we ignore the class war we are losing. 

Pivoting, in today’s fast-paced digital news environment, we as journalists must tread carefully when covering complex issues like diversity, privacy, obscenities, race, and gender. We must strive to present the news ethically, committed to responsible and accurate reporting. A great resource I have found invaluable is the Online News Association’s (ONA) DIY Code of Ethics, you may view it here: https://ethics.journalists.org/. Incorporating these principles into our everyday work, helps us build a foundation of trust, transparency, and respect for the diverse communities we serve.

One of our primary goals is to ensure that all voices are heard, especially as Enrique Dussel taught, those who are marginalized or lost. ONA  guidelines take this to a new and more respectful level. Responsible coverage of diversity isn’t just about meeting a quota for diverse sources; it’s about authentically reflecting the complex makeup of our society. This means taking a proactive approach in sourcing, reaching beyond the usual voices to bring new perspectives into our stories. Furthermore we must strive to highlight individual experiences and unique viewpoints, depict people from all backgrounds in ways that avoid reinforcing stereotypes. As we cover issues that impact underrepresented groups, we’re committed to listening, learning, and allowing those voices to take the lead in telling their own stories.

One tricky subject to navigate in covering a story is how to deal with obscenities which may be part of your news story. While we have all been exposed to obscenities, we must remain mindful of the impact offensive language can have on our audience. While I believe that it has a place, we only use explicit language when it is essential for accuracy and authenticity. I would also add that were I in charge of a news outlet, we MUST provide a disclaimer, allowing readers the choice to engage or opt out. I also feel that we can use examples like f–k rather than spelling out the word so we can remain truthful in our reporting while respecting our readers’ varied comfort levels. 

Privacy is at the core of ethical journalism, and after considering ONA’s questions my view is clear: avoid exposing personal details unless they serve a legitimate journalistic purpose. I have been the victim of a reporter’s eagerness to sensationalize a story, this may have had a hand in my choice. Since I get to create the standards of my organization, we will take this principle seriously, particularly when reporting on private individuals or sensitive topics. My goal is to balance transparency with empathy, ensuring that we’re not infringing on personal privacy unnecessarily. If details aren’t relevant to the story or might cause harm, we leave them out, which I hope will enhance trust with both our sources and readers.

Much like labeling all those who voted for Trump, we must also be aware that language matters when also discussing race and gender. True unbiased journalism encourages us to avoid language that could reinforce biases or stereotypes, and this is a priority for us as well. We must strive to use inclusive language, accurately representing people’s identities without sensationalism or harmful tropes. I will instruct my staff to be diligent about using people’s chosen pronouns and terms that reflect their identities. Race is another avenue where we must remain vigilant. How often do we see stories that lean into stereotypes or are sensationalized that become viral instead of acknowledging their systemic importance.  Our goal is to provide nuanced, empathetic reporting that contributes to a broader understanding of race and gender issues. Our focus will be on bringing us together as Americans embracing our differences. 

Perusing ONA’s DIY Code of Ethics has been a powerful step in building my newsroom’s culture rooted in integrity. It has given me a foundation to create a more responsible, equitable, and inclusive approach to journalism; one that I hope will foster trust and engagement with our readers. In an era where the media is allowed to run wild with whatever truth they can manufacture, I believe that ethical standards are more crucial than ever. These principles will help me produce journalism that respects, reflects, and represents the rich diversity of our audience.