Doug Blackmon spoke on October 25, 2018, in the Freeman Auditorium, as he took part in the Foster-Foreman Conference. Blackmon initially spoke about his connection to both Foster and Foreman, and how he actually idolized them, so it was clearly visible how excited he was to be included. Blackmon is a journalist, author and filmmaker who won the Pulitzer prize for his Nonfiction book “Slavery by Another Name.” Blackmon spoke about his time in Croatia and how journalism can be dangerous, raising ethical issues. Some issues he discussed that really resonated with me was when he was talking about personal safety while reporting in the field, as well as reporting on an idea that challenges popular opinion.
Blackmon was covering a conflict in Croatia, and before he knew it he found himself driving as fast as possible down a highway as bombs were being set off all around him. While driving so fast, he soon damaged his car and had to pull over in order to fix it, at this moment he told himself “do what you have always done, keep going.” Blackmon was okay with putting himself in danger, as before the bombs on the highway story, he claimed he was one of about 3 people left in the town due to the violent conflict taking place at the time.
The issue of putting yourself in danger to get a story is common among journalists, and deserves to be taken a closer look at. In an article I read on this subject, Sherry Ricchiardi speaks about the state of journalism and how journalists are handling increasingly dangerous situations. She was discussing how many news organizations have begun to place safety of their journalists as a top priority, as they have become targets during international conflict. (Ricchiardi) As mentioned earlier, Blackmon is an author who wrote an award winning book called “Slavery by Another Name” which featured some challenging topics, such as the state of African Americans following slavery and how in some areas of the south it “didn’t end”. Which relates to the second ethical topic I wanted to discuss, which is reporting on issues that challenge popular opinion. In one case study done in Wisconsin, an investigative journalist reported on issues created by the government as well as workplace mistreatment, and although lawmakers tried to prevent her from reporting on these issues, she ultimately stopped them (Pautz). This case study showed how you can overcome and challenge people’s opinions and can ultimately end up changing their opinions in some circumstances. Jill Abramson argued that public responses to certain issues can change over time and that journalism plays a key role in that (Narayanan, Perez).
These are important issues that should be discussed more because they involve the safety of people as well as supporting progressive thinking, because challenging ideas is how you truly learn and grow. Doug Blackmon was a great speaker who was able to discuss these ethical issues with first hand experience, it was a pleasure to listen to him.
Mallory Pautz. (October 24, 2018 Wednesday). Investigative journalist Hall dissects the state of democracy. The Lakeland College Mirror: Lakeland College. Retrieved from Nexis Uni.
Narayanan, S., & Perez, A. (2017, October 25). The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved October 26, 2018, from https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/10/25/abramson-adams-media/
Ricchiardi, S. (2002). Preparing for Battle. American Journalism Review, 24(6), 38. Retrieved from http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=6912183&site=ehost-live&scope=site