Forum examines media ethics

As journalists in newsrooms nationwide assess important ethical issues, the UW–Madison chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is bringing together journalism experts to discuss issues of trust and honesty in a forum Thursday, April 29.

The event, called “Pressing the Press: A Critical Discussion About Today’s Media and Ethics,” will be held in 19 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive, at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

The panel will include: Dave Zweifel, editor of The Capital Times; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel managing editor George Stanley; Jim Dick, news director of WMTV, Channel 15; Jill Geisler, leadership and management group leader for the Poynter Institute; Mike Davis, news editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s online site; and Mary Van de Kamp Nohl, senior editor of Milwaukee Magazine.

Speakers will be asked to discuss how they would handle hypothetical news situations. The scenarios, submitted by SPJ members, student journalists and journalism faculty, will examine relationships between media and advertisers, circumstances under which media reveal certain information and the manner in which media handle tragedy.

The last half of the forum will feature a question-and-answer period. The panel, part of the group’s Ethics Week observance, is designed to help foster dialogue between the media and the public over ethical issues.

The group has also begun a pledge drive, asking students, faculty and journalism professionals to sign a pledge calling for the ethical practice of journalism.