Ethical Considerations

The Internet is a useful tool for reporters. However, it is only a tool, supplementing the traditional skills that make great journalists. Reporters still need to exercise good news judgment, write well, interview sources successfully, do research and acquire background information to give a story meaning and context. The World Wide Web was developed in 1993. Much information compiled earlier is not yet on the Internet. Reporters who rely too much on the Internet for their information might not obtain comprehensive information about an issue or event, and might give readers and viewers an inadequate story.

Reporters must verify all information, but they must use special care with information from the Internet. Anyone can put information-reliable or otherwise—online. Reporters should examine the sponsors and authors of Web pages and check their objectives.

When journalists use information from the Internet, they attribute the information to Web sites or ask Web administrators for permission to use the material. Web sites are electronic publications, and copying someone else’s work and material is unethical and illegal. Reporters often see a quote on mailing lists and newsgroups that they would like to use in a story. If they quote sources in a mailing list or newsgroup, they should follow up with an e-mail or telephone call asking for permission to use the quote. After all, the person made the statement as a participant in an online’ conversation, not as the source for a news story Reporters who obtain or interview a source through e-mail should telephone that source to confirm the person’s identity. On the Internet, people sometimes use friends’ e-mail addresses or pretend to be someone they are not. Reporters have to be careful.