This is a presentation delivered Oct. 27, 2011, at the ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Orlando, Fla.

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The Ethics
of Breaking News Online
ACP/CMA National College Media Convention
Orlando, Fla. | Oct. 27, 2011
Jill Van Wyke, Drake University | Des Moines, Iowa

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“The code of the SPJ was written
for the age of ‘finished product’ news,
whereas today’s news is all about real time.”
– Terry Heaton

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“The time we have to make decisions, and
the manner in which we execute those
decisions, has changed dramatically.”

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Photo by Advocacy Project, Flickr | Licensed through Creative Commons
Develop an ethics policy for handling breaking news
before you find yourself in the maelstrom
of a fast-moving story.

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“The absence of such a policy exposes news
organizations to unnecessary risk.…
Such a void increases the likelihood that
newsrooms will make the kind of mistake
that can undermine years
of earned credibility.”
– “Ethics and Credibility of Breaking News Online,” APME

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Readers…
 recognize different levels of standards
for print and online
 want those standards explained and
defended
 distinguish between “information” and a
“news story”
 understand that breaking news unfolds
incrementally
 are forgiving of factual errors in a fast-
developing story, particularly when
Jens Schott Knudsen, Flickr
those errors are quickly acknowledged Licensed through Creative Commons
and corrected
 are not, however, as forgiving of errors of
Source: APME Online Journalism
judgment. Credibility Project

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In other words…
 Beopen and honest about your standards,
policies
 Readers don’t demand perfection. They
demand accountability.

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Drafting your newsroom’s policy:
What to include
1. Overall statement to readers/viewers about your
newsroom’s role and purpose in a breaking-news
situation
2. Definition of “breaking news”
3. Procedures for editorial review
4. Standards for acceptable sources
5. Policies for publishing via social media
6. Corrections and clarifications

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1. An overall statement to readers about
your newsroom’s role and purpose in a
breaking-news situation

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2. Define “breaking news”
 What stories warrant live coverage?

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3. Layers of editorial
review
 Who has to approve
such coverage?
 Will it be reviewed,
edited before
publication and, if so,
by whom? Vin Crosbie, Flickr
Licensed through Creative Commons
 If coverage will be reviewed only in certain
situations, what will those situations be?
 Who can update your site? Your Twitter feed?
Your Facebook page? A liveblog?

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4. Acceptable sources
 How many sources must confirm before
you post breaking news?
 What sources are “acceptable”?
Considered authoritative?
 Is info learned via police scanner credible?
 How will you handle anonymous sources?
 What will you do with reader- or viewer-
generated information? Photos? Videos?
 Process for verifying authenticity

15. + 5. Social media
 Who can post news to your social media
sites?
 What will you publish based on what you
learn on Twitter, Facebook?
 What will you retweet or share?
 Will it need editorial review?

16. + 6. Corrections and clarifications
 How will they be handled?
 How much will you disclose about how and
why the error was made?
 Where will you run them?
 Will you delete incorrect tweets, posts?

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Share this policy
with your staff and with your
readers/viewers.
Make it accessible on your website.
Link to it prominently when news breaks.

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Sioux City (Iowa) Journal’s Policy

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Links
“Breaking News Without Breaking Trust,”
by Mitch Pugh, Sioux City Journal, APME
http://www.apme.com/?BreakingNews
“Journalists’ Code of Ethics: Time for an Update?”
by Steve Buttry
http://stevebuttry.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/journalists-
code-of-ethics-time-for-an-update/
“New Ethical Frontier: Breaking Cybernews”
by Jill Van Wyke
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/70464743?
access_key=key-24l3atiwuez39exvpfo6

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Contact info
Jill Van Wyke, assistant professor
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
(515) 271-3867
jill.vanwyke@drake.edu
twitter.com/jillvanwyke