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Our Virtual Classroom: Journalism Ethics During A Global Pandemic.

Voices of University of Arkansas Students Spread Across the Nation

April 28, 2020

Question of the Day:

For today’s poll, on polleverywhere.com, we will consider a very important area of journalism coverage during the global pandemic. How do you think journalists have done in terms of covering the pandemic in a way that they are showing sensitivity when interviewing those affected? (Sensitivity is important whether you are interviewing someone in-person, by phone, or other means. As usual, I will delve into this topic more fully in today’s virtual lecture.)

 

Here’s the question: As far as meeting journalism ethics standards that demand sensitivity when interviewing individuals directly affected by a breaking news story, I would give the overall news coverage of the global pandemic the following grade:

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I think that as far as meeting ethical standards when interviewing individuals directly about the global pandemic, journalists are doing a good job. I feel as though their interview questions are sensitive to the people’s needs and they are getting their points across accurately.

                                                                                                Mary Green

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I would give the overall coverage a rating of average. I personally haven’t seen any interviews that seem too prying. I have seen more interviews talking to nurses, which still needs to be delicate, but not as much with those who have lost family. Most news I have seen won’t even mention the name of those who are sick or died which I think is the correct case in this situation. This event is especially interesting because there is no one who isn’t in some way being affecting. Unlike a natural disaster or community crisis this event is relevant to everyone alive.

                                                                                                Courtney Sakmar

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As far as meeting journalism ethics standards that demand sensitivity when interviewing individuals directly affected by a breaking news story, I would give the overall news coverage of the global pandemic the following grade: B+ because I think most people I’ve seen interviewed are happy and relieved their symptoms are over, not annoyed or frustrated by being interviewed. I feel like the majority of interviews I’ve seen online or on news channels have been uplifting and encouraging more than filled with negativity.

                                                                                                 Tristan Winters

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I believe as journalists we have an important responsibility to practice ethical standards in general, but especially in times such as these when the events going on in the world are possibly closer to home. It is important to protect the public’s right-to-know, but it is equally important to protect people’s privacy, especially in the case of medical situations. Medical records are one of the only exclusions to the Freedom of Information Act, which I feel gives patients the right to not want reporters to make their medical story public. I feel like the reporters that have been on the front lines telling the heartbreaking and triumphant stories of COVID-19 patients have done a great job of respecting their sources privacy while giving the public the information they deserve.

                                                                                                  Katie Beth Nichols

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 In terms of covering the pandemic journalist have been generally sensitive when covering something like this. I think it is important for journalist to show sensitivity in a time like this because millions are being affected by it one way or another. Most of the interviews are being made via phone call and video calls. I find this interesting because now journalist have to be able to convey their sincerity and sensitivity over the phone or video. I think this pandemic can teach journalists how to show sensitivity even when they are not face to face with someone.

                                                                                                       Maritza Cedario 

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