To run or not to run?
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010
Samantha Jung, our News Editor, has been offered a spot in the Paralympic torch relay as a media representative for UBC. Some media organizations have declined such offers due to possible conflicts of interest, while others are taking full part in the relay. We want you to weigh in. Do you want Sam to run? Vote on the right.
Background Information
The Vancouver Sun and Province’s decision
(No Ratings Yet)
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Even though journalists are by all means “common folk” they are still unable to provide unbiased opinions. If Samantha was simply a student from UBC, with no ties to any media I would support her being chosen. I think VANOC made a very bad error in choosing celebrities and the media to participate in the relay. I couldn’t believe the number of media and celebrities that have been in the relay thus far, it was a travesty and not what the Olympics are about.
I hope Samantha does the right thing and declines the offer to be in the torch relay and in turn writes an article about the hypocrisy of VANOC’s choices for torch relay participants.
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Ethics by consensus do not a sound morality make.
In case of reasonable doubt, it’s probably best for the media to opt-out. Just like how our Canadian Chief Justice doesn’t vote. It’s not that she can’t–it’s just that she feels uncomfortable doing it, and so she doesn’t.
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Why not? She will never get this chance again.
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Maybe it’s my penchant for gonzo journalism, but I think if EVER a journalist has a “once in a lifetime chance”, they should take it. Whether they then take the opportunity to write about it objectively or stylistically, it’s up to them, as long as it is properly identified as hard news or editorial.
In any case, journalism can be truthful without necessarily being objective.
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