An interesting story from MSNBC today where it found a large number of journalist that give to political candidates. The cable news organization found 144 journalists that gave contributions in 2004, based upon campaign contributions listed through the Federal Elections Commission.
The list of journalists include those from ABC News, Fox News (which for the record was split between Republicans and Democrats), and other regional and national publications. Political contributions raise an interesting question of if these contributions cloud the objectivity a journalist has when covering an event, especially one involving the same politician.
MSNBC attempted to interview the 144 journalists or media employees about their contributions. Some refused to comment. Others said they were unaware of the donation (blaming a spouse), and others said they did it because they don’t cover politics on a daily basis. In some cases, the donations violated policies regarding political contributions and activities.
One journalist, Alix Kendall a morning anchor for KMSP in Minneapolis, said, “I think it’s ridiculous that anyone who’s sitting in front of a camera doesn’t have an opinion — come on, we all do. Did I think about that at the time? No, I didn’t. Maybe I should have. But I still feel I have a right to my civic duties.” Kendall gave $250 in September to a political action committee, Midwest Values PAC, that opposes the war.
The question isn’t about whether a journalist has views or opinions on the issues that they cover. I certainly did as a journalist and made some very clear in newsroom discussions, but never did those affect my ability to cover the news. Discussing politics and voting in elections are one thing - you should do that. A political donation is another story.
By giving to a political candidate you are throwing your support - financially - behind the candidate and thus helping the candidate to stay afloat. I believe it clouds the picture of objectivity and should not be allowed. Whether a reporter likes it or not, your business is to report the news with objectivity, which means putting aside any and all opinions you may have when writing or producing your article. That is a hard proposition to ask, but the news demands both sides to be told fairly and accurately. It’s one of the first lessons you are taught in journalism school. It’s the essence of journalistic ethics - not to put yourself into the story or get to close to a source (something that is difficult).
There is a solution to this. Newspaper owners and companies should enforce the rules regarding political activity and contributions.
But for those reporters who feel the urge to support a candidate is too strong, a tag could always be added to any story that you write or are involved in that involves politics. Today, companies detail relationships between the news media and their owning company when covering a story involving their owners. Why not do the same for journalists covering a political story, if they given to a politician - any politician - in the past? It could be added in the tag line.
Political Report (insert name) has given (insert amount here) to political candidates since (insert time on beat).
A little sunshine never hurt anyone, right?
