Monthly Archives: July 2017

RTDNA Issues Updates To Code Of Ethics

WASHINGTON – The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) provides broad ethical guidance to journalists through its Code of Ethics. But it also drills down with more than 30 sets of coverage guidelines, focusing on specific situations encountered by radio, television and digital news organizations, including plagiarism, covering bomb threats, using hidden cameras and more.

This month, RTDNA is issuing updated versions of four sets of guidelines: Breaking news,live coverage, user-generated content and the use of confidential sources.

“Our coverage guidelines are designed to give journalists a framework for decision-making,” said RTDNA Ethics Committee Chairman Terence Shepherd. “We have an ongoing process of developing, evaluating and revising these resources to ensure they remain current, relevant and helpful.”

Among the new guidelines:

  • Breaking news: Suggestions for delivering content via broadcast and social media channels, a reminder of closed-captioning requirements for television, urges newsrooms to develop a breaking news plan;
  • Live coverage: Safety in the field is given new emphasis, along with notes on protests where law enforcement agencies may use force or arrest journalists;
  • User-generated content: Be aware of how easy it is to create and distribute content via social media, and the need to evaluate the credibility of those who provide it;
  • Confidential sources: Urges journalists and sources to have a clear understanding of how the information being provided will be used before accepting that information.

“In the fast-paced world of newsgathering, journalists must understand the potential impacts of their reporting,” said RTDNA Executive Director Mike Cavender. “Our guidelines have been carefully and thoughtfully developed to provide newsrooms with coverage suggestions and important ethical questions to ask, even in the heat of the moment.”

You can see all of RTDNA’s coverage guidelines at RTDNA.org.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

Do You Know Wisconsin Law Regarding Reporters Recording Phone Conversations?

The RTDNA has just requested that the FCC stop enforcing the rule that you must inform the person you’re recording if you intend to broadcast the conversation.

The letter from the RTDNA to the FCC is here.

There’s a special section of the WBA Newsroom website that concisely explains Wisconsin law as regards reporters recording phone conversations, and clarifies Wisconsin’s statutory right of privacy regarding phone conversations and recordings.

You’ll find that section here.

Posted by Tim Morrissey

Reporters: Your Right To Know What’s Going On In Wisconsin Government

Bill Lueders, President of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, has written a column about Wisconsin lawmakers’ attempts to hide or destroy records of their legislative activities. Read that column here.

If you are a reporter new to our state, or want a quick tutorial on Wisconsin’s Open Meetings and Open Records laws, there is a special section of the WBA Newsroom site devoted to that topic. You’ll find it here.

Posted by Tim Morrissey