The Gist cover image

The Gist

Best Of - Ethics and Journalism

Aug 17, 2024
Kyle Pope, former editor of the Columbia Journalism Review, joins Margaret Sullivan, head of the ethics center at the Columbia School of Journalism, for a deep dive into the ethical challenges in journalism today. They discuss the erosion of accountability in the media, particularly influenced by Donald Trump. The conversation covers the importance of distinguishing credible journalism from misinformation and the need for a revival of the ombudsman role. They also tackle how coverage impacts political figures and the ethical dilemmas journalists face in this rapidly evolving landscape.
31:55

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The abandonment of the ombudsman role in American media highlights a critical deficiency in accountability and audience engagement.
  • Debates over downplaying negative news about Democrats reveal significant tensions between journalistic ethics and the pressure to shape public perception.

Deep dives

The Role of the Ombudsman in Journalism

The concept of an ombudsman, derived from Swedish, relates to accountability within journalism, functioning as a public editor for media organizations. Traditionally, the ombudsman serves to address audience complaints and provide insights into news practices. However, this role has been largely abandoned in much of the American media landscape, with NPR being one of the very few organizations maintaining such a position. The Columbia Journalism Review is taking the initiative to fill this vacuum by appointing its own ombudspeople to critique major news outlets, emphasizing the need for accountability in reporting practices.

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