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Truth Telling

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Truthtelling
Truthtelling relates to the press' obligation to print the truth under all conditions.
Challenges facing the press' obligation to tell the truth: ▪ Newspapers must live within the larger ambiguities about truth. ▪ Budget constraints, deadlines, reader expectations, editorial conventions, and self-serving sources complicate truthtelling. Journalism is often referred to as “history in a hurry’’ and providing a precise, representative account can rarely occur under such conditions. ▪ Journalistic gatekeepers must choose from unceasing news generated by emerging information technologies.
“Truth” in news reporting must be enlarged beyond a simple facts-only definition. Both newsgathering and newswriting processes must be considered.
Opposite of truthtelling is deception, that is, deliberate intention to mislead (see Sissela Bok's book, “Lying”). Deception is newswriting is rare, but deception in newsgathering is a persistent temptation, because it often facilitates the process of securing information.
There are five cases that demonstrate the dimensions of the truthtelling issue in journalism and media ethics: 1. Al Jazeera: This case examines the Arab news network, Al Jazeera, an independent news organization based in Qatar. Does Al Jazeera slant its news against the West? Many Western journalists and governments are not convinced that Al Jazeera is neutral or un-biased in its reporting. In a region where state owned media dominates the airwaves and government leaders were accustomed to controlling the message. Reflects Arab culture. Less than positive responses from an average American. Accused for providing a platform for terrorists. Al Jazeera aimed to present the news in an unbiased and objective manner, which often meant unflattering portrayal of existing Arab leaders. 2. The Unabomber's Manifesto: The

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