The role ethics plays in war journalism.

When it comes to ethics and journalism, many people don’t really understand the role it plays and what it has to do with journalism, especially war journalism. When it comes to a journalist reporting a story on a war or specific event that is happening, when is it right for a journalist/reporter to ask questions and get the full scoop?  Many people don’t realize it, but sometimes just asking a simple question or taking a quick picture is too much. A simple question of what is free press comes into play here because technically we are allowed to the freedom of speech, but how would one feel if they were in that specific position. 

When journalists are reporting on a story in a war they have to be especially careful not to cross any boundaries. Yes, the job of a journalist is to get the story out there to the public, but sometimes too much really too much. How would you feel if you were in that position where you and your family is going through something very tragic, and there is a journalist trying to take pictures and ask questions while you are going through this very tragic time? What most journalists do not realize is that they sometimes have to put themselves in the shoes of the people that they are reporting to see how it really feels. According to the Ethics of Journalism, journalists should seek the truth and report it, and also be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering and reporting information. I plan on researching more and finding when it really is okay to report something in the war and when it is too much. 

Expert Questions: 

1. When it comes to war, and a journalist reporting in the war, when do you think it is ok for them to cross the boundaries to just get the story out there to the public?

2. How do you put your feelings aside when you are reporting on something very tragic? Do you have to learn to just ignore it to get the story or can you help your interviewee when something serious happens? How do you as a journalist cope with that?