I am struck with a dilemma. An issue that pertains to all of the classes I am currently enrolled in.
Earlier today in my reporting for mass media class, we were supposed to arrive with three story topics. My first topic was...ok. My second topic, I was too embarrassed to admit that I had even thought about it, and my third story was quite intriguing.
Due to the fact that this is a blog, I am not going to release the topic of my story in case I do decide to write about it but, it could be a very controversial piece that involves college athletes, specifically football players.
For the story, I would be asking them (the football players) to provide me with some of the most personal aspects of each team member. It could mean interviewing players and asking them to exploit some very private information about their teammates. The very individuals they turn to on a daily basis. The very individuals who they may refer to as their best friends, their brothers, their family.
The questions I would be asking during my interviews would be challenging the players to go above and beyond a standard news source. I could quite possibly be asking them to question their morals or ethical thinking.
Yes, I believe this story may be asking a lot of the players involved, but it will also be making me further contemplate the ethical dilemma that includes me.
I have to decide if 1)I want to write this story, 2)I write this story will it be in the best interest of the public, 3)I should keep my sources confidential and 4)I keep my sources confidential and somehow this manages to get involved with upper authorities, called to court, and tried, would I be able to keep my sources confidential even if it means I would have to go to jail?
That is where my real ethical dilemma comes into play because, as of right now, I believe I do have a right vs. right situation. Currently, I do believe that the public would benefit from knowing the information I would like to gather for my news story, and I also believe that keeping my sources confidential would be the right course of action.
But am I willing to go to jail? I believe I could never take on a confidential sources unless I’d be willing to go to jail for that source or news story.
This is where I am torn...and this is where my thoughts will keep me tied up.
Am I willing to go to jail? A 12x12 cell. An inmate.
Jail?
Earlier today in my reporting for mass media class, we were supposed to arrive with three story topics. My first topic was...ok. My second topic, I was too embarrassed to admit that I had even thought about it, and my third story was quite intriguing.
Due to the fact that this is a blog, I am not going to release the topic of my story in case I do decide to write about it but, it could be a very controversial piece that involves college athletes, specifically football players.
For the story, I would be asking them (the football players) to provide me with some of the most personal aspects of each team member. It could mean interviewing players and asking them to exploit some very private information about their teammates. The very individuals they turn to on a daily basis. The very individuals who they may refer to as their best friends, their brothers, their family.
The questions I would be asking during my interviews would be challenging the players to go above and beyond a standard news source. I could quite possibly be asking them to question their morals or ethical thinking.
Yes, I believe this story may be asking a lot of the players involved, but it will also be making me further contemplate the ethical dilemma that includes me.
I have to decide if 1)I want to write this story, 2)I write this story will it be in the best interest of the public, 3)I should keep my sources confidential and 4)I keep my sources confidential and somehow this manages to get involved with upper authorities, called to court, and tried, would I be able to keep my sources confidential even if it means I would have to go to jail?
That is where my real ethical dilemma comes into play because, as of right now, I believe I do have a right vs. right situation. Currently, I do believe that the public would benefit from knowing the information I would like to gather for my news story, and I also believe that keeping my sources confidential would be the right course of action.
But am I willing to go to jail? I believe I could never take on a confidential sources unless I’d be willing to go to jail for that source or news story.
This is where I am torn...and this is where my thoughts will keep me tied up.
Am I willing to go to jail? A 12x12 cell. An inmate.
Jail?
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