Local papers reporting on local government protects residents from government corruption and official abuse. Except when it doesn't. For all its fine work, The Islander has at times abandoned journalistic ethics to amplify the erroneous assertions of government officials - unchallenged and uncorrected. With the adamant intransigence of the publisher, editor, and reporter. Because they can. The Maine Press Association has no mechanism for investigating ethics complaints and enforcing ethical standards
When powerful people wear two hats - as local government officials and as local journalists - truthfulness and trust are at risk. Especially when those individuals have strong personal opinions which they use their positions to promote. Often at the expense of accuracy and honesty. The Islander has no published protocols for corrections and thus no transparency to their decisions making process.
Thank you for this comment! It's made me realize that we don't have a published protocol for corrections either, and I'd like to have one.
If you have the time and there's any examples out there you think are exceptional, please let me know. But no pressure! We can go look toward that ourselves when we have a minute.
Local papers reporting on local government protects residents from government corruption and official abuse. Except when it doesn't. For all its fine work, The Islander has at times abandoned journalistic ethics to amplify the erroneous assertions of government officials - unchallenged and uncorrected. With the adamant intransigence of the publisher, editor, and reporter. Because they can. The Maine Press Association has no mechanism for investigating ethics complaints and enforcing ethical standards
When powerful people wear two hats - as local government officials and as local journalists - truthfulness and trust are at risk. Especially when those individuals have strong personal opinions which they use their positions to promote. Often at the expense of accuracy and honesty. The Islander has no published protocols for corrections and thus no transparency to their decisions making process.
Actually, I just found a great source with examples. Thank you so much for making me think of this. I appreciate it!
Thank you for this comment! It's made me realize that we don't have a published protocol for corrections either, and I'd like to have one.
If you have the time and there's any examples out there you think are exceptional, please let me know. But no pressure! We can go look toward that ourselves when we have a minute.
http://americanpressassociation.com/principles-of-journalism/
This is really good reading.