Lisa Falkenberg is a metro columnist for the Houston Chronicle. She grew up in the small town of Seguin, Texas and was the first of her family to graduate from college. She was AP’s Texas “Writer of the Year” in 2004 and three years later she was offered her own column at age 28. Falkenberg was nominated as finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2014 and in 2015, she won the commentary prize for her “vividly written, groundbreaking column about grand jury abuses.” She is a successful writer that has moved many with her words and stories, she is a strong liberal woman that has made a name for herself despite her rural upbringing and demanding career as a female columnist. I had the opportunity to listen to Falkenberg speak this past Monday, October 19th, and it was an inspiring experience.
During her speech, Falkenberg told her journey of becoming a columnist and discussed some of her most notable articles. Two articles, which concern the issues of harmful foster care and grand jury corruption within the state of Texas, beard intense ethical messages for me. She began with a story involving a Houston couple fighting to save foster kids in a broken system. Partners, Angela Sugareek and Carol Jeffery were foster parents to a child they strongly believed was being abused within the foster care system. After numerous reports to CPS caseworkers in Wharton, Texas the couple’s concerns of abuse were allegedly dismissed and eventually the two were advised not to report anything else until they physically witnessed an act of abuse with their own eyes. At first, Falkenberg was hesitant to report on such a prominent issue but after learning more about the brutality of this particular case, she eventually took the plunge in hopes to help the children victims of abuse. Falkenberg’s second article involved the wrongful prosecution of 23 year old Alfred Dewayne Brown. Brown was accused of killing a police officer during a three man burglary and was sentenced to death row in October of 2005. With the help of Falkenberg’s intrigue and research concerning the crooked grand jury, Brown’s case was re- reviewed and he was finally taken off death row. After these sequence of events, Texas became the final state to ban the use grand juries in the United States, all thanks to Falkenberg.
These particular cases bring me to dwell on the impact of ethical corruption in today’s world. Falkenbergs role as a columnist has saved innocent people from abuse and mistreatment. Her success as a writer exemplifies the greater influence that journalists and reporters have on society. In his Text “Ethical Journalism and Truth,” Scholar George Lazaroui writes about the nature of news and the influences on journalist’s judgements within the news. He examines the duties of Journalists and discuss’ how reporter’s intended audiences affect the way they do their job (Lazaroiu, G. 2011.) I would say Falkenberg definitely had an intended audience when she decided to write a column on the prosecution of Alfred Dewayne Brown. By using good judgement and her ethical values, Falkenberg intended to grab the attention of important officials which were able to free Brown from an illegitimate sentence.
When Falkenberg chose to write an article on child abuse, she was essentially airing out the entire CPS foster care system in the state of Texas. Author David Burnet wrote about freedom of speech as a journalist, in chapter four of “Ethical Issues in Journalism and Media.” Burnet states that “such freedom may be subject to conditions prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society”(Burnet 1992). Some unethical reporters might have turned a blind eye if stuck in a similar situation to this one, however, Falkenberg used her freedom of speech to go against the corrupt child care system and save innocent children. From an outside perspective, Falkenberg is honorable writer who is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Her columns bring light to important issues that should be known by the public.I admire her courage as a writer and imagine that many reporters look up to her for this specific reason. From just reading a couple articles and listening to her speak, I have learned the crucual lesson of honesty and the obligations of journalists and reporters to stand up for what they believe in.
Lazaroiu, G. (2011). ETHICAL JOURNALISM AND TRUTH. Economics, Management and Financial Markets, 6(2), 886-889. Retrieved from http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/docview/884341110?accountid=13158
Belsey, A., & Chadwick, R. (Eds.). (1992). <i>Ethical issues in journalism and the media</i>. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com