“The Standard” - Never sacrifice journalistic integrity
March 28, 2011 The Standard
March 24, 2011
A journalism student from Hong Kong Shue Yan University requested an interview with environmental group Green Sense, and was told he would be granted one under the condition he agreed to work for the group as a volunteer.
Later, Shue Yan authorities accused Green Sense of violating the principles of journalism. The group's chairman, Tam Hoi-pong, countered that the university is "a crooked stick throwing a crooked shadow."
Tam issued a statement saying he will no longer accept interview requests from Shue Yan students.
This has aroused a lot of discussion in the education sector. Recently, a student wrote in the Chinese University Student Press that if the information acquired through the exchange is factual, then there's nothing wrong. The writer said working as a volunteer would allow the reporter to learn more.
I read the latest issue of the student magazine, in which the writer gave an alternative viewpoint, saying many scoops have actually come from conditional exchanges.
Sometimes, they involve personal relationships and even money but, even when they are of an exchange in nature, the integrity of the news is not affected.
In the case of Green Sense and Shue Yan there is no direct interest involved and, therefore, there is no concern over the information not being factual.
The writer also refuted a professor who said students should learn to cover news instead of learning about environmental protection, saying such thinking is incorrect.
The writer maintained that understanding is acquired through knowledge and, by volunteering, the reporter would have direct access to staff, which is much better than "sitting on a sofa and talking." What's more, the reporter's firsthand experience would be more appealing to readers and hone interview skills.
The writer even pointed out that the use of journalistic ethics by the student as an excuse for not helping others in such a case is unnecessary.
So long as the truth is there, it is acceptable to get information through reasonable means of exchange.
Once the article was out, many reporters responded. Some said the article was "justice talk," and some said it was "of an alternative nature."
I asked a veteran journalism professor about this. He said volunteer work widens a student's horizons, and promotes understanding.
He added that if both parties agree, the student may still work as a volunteer for the group after finishing the news assignment.
But one should work as a volunteer from the bottom of one's heart - rather than treat it as a means of securing an interview.
The professor said journalistic principles should never be compromised whatever the circumstances. Editorial independence must not be used in exchange for anything. He said in some cases, there are paid interviews, but he does not agree with such behavior.
The media should not undermine their established position. If a reporter subscribes to the concepts of the organization he is interviewing, and is willing to join it as a volunteer, there is nothing wrong. But it should not be based on the wish to secure an interview.
