Media Ethics In Controversial Stories

Air Date:
Heard On The Morning Show
Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes
Right-wing provocateur and Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes pumps his fist during a rally at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park on April 27, 2017 in Berkeley, Calif. Protesters marched in opposition to the cancellation of a speech by American conservative political commentator Ann Coulter at the University of California-Berkeley. Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

Media stories spotlighting people with controversial viewpoints are prompting audiences to respond. They’re questioning, critiquing, and criticizing. Our first guest is an investigative reporter who put together this week’s story on Proud Boys in Wisconsin. We discuss editorial decisions over months of reporting. Then a media law and ethics expert breaks down the ethical considerations and obligations of reporting.

What is the obligation of a free press? Does it depend on the circumstances? What question do you have about the decisions news leaders make as they report on contentious topics? Email ideas@wpr.org, tweet us @wprmornings or post on the Ideas Network Facebook page.

Episode Credits

  • Kate Archer Kent Host
  • Kealey Bultena Producer
  • Alexandra Hall Guest
  • Doreen Weisenhaus Guest