CREDIBILITY IN QUESTION

April 2005
		Public trust in the news media has been shaken by several recent scandals and lapses of journalistic judgment. Two experts answer your questions about specific cases of journalistic misdemeanors and how the news organizations in general can improve their credibility. Special Report: Credibility in Question

Forum Introduction Have past administrations used pseudo-journalists, like Jeff Gannon, to help improve media coverage? Should reporters stick to reporting and leave the commentary to experts and analysts? Are journalists less aggressive than they should be with the Bush administration? Is it ethical for a working reporter to keep a blog? How do we know which writers are paid consultants and which are delivering personal or educated opinions? Did the 'real story' get lost in the fallout from the flawed 60 Minutes report on President Bush's National Guard Service? Is it ethical for media outlets to restrict what type of news they report? Are there conflicts of interest for federal employees who become reporters? Could the Fairness Doctrine become law and what impact it would have on the news? Does corporate ownership of a news provider taint coverage?	John Smith of Washington, DC asks: Say a very ethical young or mid-level reporter considers leaving journalism to work for a consulting firm that serves the federal government or joining the staff of a senator. Would this person be able to return to journalism in the future at The Washington Post or another major paper? Obviously, the revolving door can be a concern. What steps should be taken to avoid any potential ethical conflicts down the road? Jay Rosen responds: James Fallows of the Altantic Monthly, a former speechwriter for President Carter, says you should be allowed to jump once-in his case, from politics to journalism -- but not back and forth. That seems reasonable to me. Michael Getler responds: There are many cases where journalists have worked in government for a period-perhaps in an administration or on the staff of a lawmaker. There are some, like NBC's Tim Russert, who are excellent interrogators. Some people argue that seeing the other side of the fence gives a reporter perspective. That may be true, and I don't see any ethical problem here. I wouldn't fall on my sword to keep someone who has worked in government from joining a news staff. In general, however, my personal view is that good journalists have always wanted to be journalists, right from the start, and that they bring with them a different natural mindset and inclination than does someone who has worked for government. That outsider's attitude serves them well as a reporter and will make them less likely to see too much gray, or to back away from certain things. My guess is that people already in the press who then go to government will have a tough time finding a reentry point, and that's fine with me.