A breach of ethics

1. The editors had to walk a very fine line between first-rate journalism and a witch hunt. If Mayor Jim West was engaged in sexual activity with underage boys, then a crime is being committed and the public has a right to know. However, if West is conducting a relationship with another adult, then any investigation into his personal life should have little merit. A politician’s private life and sexual orientation should not be exploited to sell newspapers. At first, the probe followed prudent journalistic practices -- chasing down sources and asking questions--but once the reporters made the foray into the chat room, they crossed a line. In my view, this was essentially entrapment.

2. William Morlin could not assume a faulty identity because it would have violated the Spokesman-Reviews’ code of ethics. So instead, a third party was hired to create the sting. Morlin tried to justify the practice by saying the paper was pursuing a story that the people of Spokane needed to know.

3. The volume of articles published by The Spokesman-Review reflects a reporters’ need to get as much mileage out of the story as possible. A story of that magnitude rarely occurs in smaller cities like Spokane and this was their one opportunity to conduct in-depth coverage worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. It is sad that so many beat reporters abandon their daily jobs to probe for Dickensian tales of overcoming hardship that earn awards. I think the overabundance of articles published by The Spokesman-Review reflect this journalistic mind set.

4. The Spokesman- Review obviously benefited from the probe. Its circulation surely increased and the reporters who covered the story reaped tons of praise. On the other hand, Mayor Jim West’s life was left in shambles. Based on the published transcripts, their was not enough impropriety regarding the promises for internships to convict West of anything. The rest of the accusations were based on statements made by an untrustworthy source. Had more witnesses provided accounts of sexual abuse, the claims would be more substantial. West’s political career might have persevered had his sexual orientation not been revealed. Local politicians from across the country frequently face similar accusations regarding abuses of office. The defining factor in this case was the politician’s sexual orientation.

5. Unlike Mayor West’s case, Lynch’s absence is a story that does require some investigation. Nonetheless, the reporting does delve into Lynch’s personal matters--matters that should not concern the residents of Spokane--which the reporters frame in a less than ethical manner. The article provides the newsworthy event--Lynch’s medical absence--and then tries to discover why. By writing the article in this manner, the writers almost make it sound like Lynch has contracted AIDS. A more ethical approach would disclose Lynch’s absence and then describe recent events. Lynch’s physical wounds are not mentioned until the end of the third paragraph. Pushing this information so deep in the article allows the reader to make certain assumptions about Lynch before they know the full story.