Dozier facilitates discussion on ethics of embedded reporting
By Darian Somers
Situation defintion
Earlier this week, former CBS journalist and now Daily Beast journalist Kimberly Dozier spoke at the Foster-Foreman Conference. In the talk she discussed two main ethical issues.
The first was the lack of availability to the the battlefield and what is really happening in wars when journalists are embedded with troops and covering them.
The second issue Dozier discussed was not becoming too friendly with troops so to remain an unbiased view on reporting. She briefly discussed how some reporters may have missed something because they were being too friendly with reporters.
Analysis
The first issue is that journalists have a duty to tell the truth. However in times of war, that can be tough to do because of safety concerns and also the fact they are living with the same people they are interviewing. Dozier explained there were certain missions, called “dog and pony shows” that were basically publicity stunt style movements to show the good. However, naturally, not everything that happens would be seen as good in the public eye. One of the issues is that also preventative to telling the truth is the fact there aren’t many sources to interview, something Dozier indirectly addressed by mentioning how the “dog and pony show” was very PR-styled. According to Ethical Ideals In Journalism: Civic Uplift Or Telling The Truth?, “truth seeking in journalism also requires a diversity of sources and the avoidance of a narrow notion of balance. Where the truth is unknown or contentious, journalists often must fall back on providing a balance of views. Too often, providing balance deteriorates into a mindless reporting of only two sides of an issue, often two politically partisan views.” This issue can be solved by to continuously be critical of both sides. Something that falls under the next issues.
The second issue that Dozier addressed is the loyalty to troops and loyalty to country that often can arise while covering the media’s war. She mentioned how she went on live during Memorial Day to show how upbeat the troops were remaining. This can present an issue though because overtime, the friendliness can hurt reporting. Dozier gave an example of how she could have been harder on the troops when certain news like prisoner abuse arises. According to “The ‘I’ of Embedded Reporting: An Analysis of CNN Coverage of the ‘Shock and Awe’ Campaign,” journalists who are embed use “we,” “us” and “our” more often. This is something that is generally frowned on in things like sports reporting. Dozier explained it’s all about drawing that line, which can be done. Fox and Park explained it can be done by doing more reporting and backing up facts with statements by the sources one interviews.
Conclusion
I think the first issue is important to be discussed because the public deserves to know the truth. It might not be what the wanted but not getting the truth can negatively impact decisions people make about the leaders of the country.
The second issue to me is more important because a journalist should never show bias. They need to put all allegiances aside, most importantly because being a PR puppet is not the job of a journalist. It’s to tell the truth and to seek the truth. Without the truth, inhumane justices become an issues.
References
Fox, J., & Park, B. (n.d.). The “I” of Embedded Reporting: An Analysis of CNN Coverage of the “Shock and Awe” Campaign. <i>Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media,</i> 36-51.
Murphy, J., Ward, S., & Donovan, A. (n.d.). Ethical Ideals In Journalism: Civic Uplift Or Telling The Truth? Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 322-337.