Poynter Institute
Vice president of academic programs at the Poynter Institute, where she is an expert on media ethics
PROFILE
Kelly McBride
Guest
FROM Kelly McBride
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Ethics of True Crime True crime has long been a popular niche in books and TV. Now it’s a mainstream obsession, thanks to new storytelling formats.The latest example is the 10-part Netflix series “Making a Murderer.” Before that there was the HBO series “The Jinx”... and before that the podcast “Serial.” All these works re-investigate old murder cases, sometimes turning up new evidence. This kind of journalism can be a public service. It’s also full of ethical pitfalls. What are they?
Which Way, L.A.?
The LA Times and "Sponsored Content" The LA Times, cooperating with the Columbia School of Journalism, recently published a hard-hitting series on Exxon. It exposed the oil giant for casting doubt on climate change and opposing emission controls at the same time its own researchers were proving that climate change was real. But investigative reporting was not all that the Times was up to. It was also creating a website for the California Resources Corporation, formerly Occidental Petroleum, with articles and videos supporting the oil and gas industry.
To the Point
Journalists and the "Scooter" Libby Trial Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan originally told reporters that political mastermind Karl Rove did not leak the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame. Today, a federal judge allowed videotape of the briefing to be played in the "Scooter" Libby trial , a case the Los Angeles Times says is really about the " ugly mutual exploitation " between government and the news media. Testimony has revealed how the Bush Administration manipulated reporters--and how reporters went along. It's a sordid story that's more about political payback than the public's right to know, but it could have consequences. Reporters have been required to reveal their sources despite promises of anonymity. Will that discourage potential whistleblowers? Are reporters too eager to protect official sources in pursuit of scoops? How does the public know what to believe?
Recommended
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?