PressEthic

Conflicts of interest in journalism have been the topic of much debate inside the media lately. Most notably, the ever-evolving situation at the Miami Herald highlighted the reprecussions of journalists from ostensibly neutral sources working for organizations with a clear opinion or platform. Today a story on Editor & Publisher highlights another such case at the Washington Post. A twenty-five year old photographer, Jim Thresher, went on a cross-country trip that was funded by a Wal-Mart affiliate, taking pictures for their website.

On the trip, which ended just a few days ago, Thresher took photos that later appeared on the www.walmartingacrossamerica.com. Although he was not paid a salary, Downie said the cost of the RV and other travel expenses were covered by Working Families for Wal-Mart, which was formed last year by Wal-Mart's public relations firm, according to Business Week.

Thresher was ordered by Executive Editor Leonard Downie to pay the group back for the trip and remove the photos he took from their website.

One part of the article highlights the risks for journalists who try to undertake these sorts of projects. According to his editors, Thresher actually tried to protect himself by seeking permission first.

Thresher, whom Downie described as "a fine photographer" had discussed the pending trip with Joe Elbert, the paper's assistant managing editor/photo, before it occurred, Downie added. But he said there was a "miscommunication" between the two and it was not clear to Elbert exactly what the trip would include.

"I approved it," Elbert said. "It reminds me how cautious we have to be." Elbert said he did not know that Thresher would have the costs covered by the advocacy group, saying, "There is no way we would have approved that."

Downie did not believe Thresher had sought to mislead the photo chief. "The photo editor did not fully understand what Jim was going to do, but gave permission," Downie said. "He did not understand what was being asked."

As we explore the depths of journalistic ethics, these case studies involving publications' own policies continue to crop up. When we enter the field as professionals, the standards will be higher than ever. Downie says the company's policy on freelancing will be tightened to prevent further breaches. Such tight restrictions may make our jobs more complicated. But despite the fluctuating approach at the Miami Herald, it seems some of our future employers are determined to minimize even the appearance of impropriety. Moreover, Editor & Publisher refers to Working Families for Wal-Mart as a "pro-Wal-Mart interest group." This is misleading. It is in fact a wing of Wal-Mart's public relations division. Given the group's misnomer (the name of the association is makes it sound like a grassroots organization), it is incumbent on the writer to call it what it really is, from the beginning of the article.