Local ethical journalism

January 2024

This month, we asked our writers to reflect on the importance of local,
ethical journalism as informed by Edward R. Murrow.

Ethics in Writing

Gracie Smith
MSMU Class of 2027

Ethical journalism is something that is treasured. Although, 40 years ago ethical journalism was far more common than it is now. Ethical journalism, according to the Society of Professional Journalism, can be summed up as the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair, and thorough. Reporters and writers have turned to writing about what is liked and favored rather than sharing the truth. They have turned to reporting drama and altering the news to get more people to read their work. As a result of this, the public cannot trust the news for anything.

Edward R. Murrow is the perfect example of what it means to be a reporter. He not only models for us the honesty and integrity desired by all those who seek news, but he shows us what it means to have an unshakeable character with beliefs so firm that nothing can change them. In doing so, Murrow captivates more people by sharing the much-needed truth.

Ethical journalism is essential in today’s society where media is corrupt. People struggle every day to obtain news that is factual and accurate. Having to work to receive news that used to be easily provided is pitiful. The importance of keeping the truth alive is a necessity for a society dependent on the voice of the public. Our democracy cannot live off the lies the media feeds us. The truth is priceless, yet reporters still alter it so that they can get more views on their work. I ask, what is this doing to improve society? How can a reporter so easily feed lies to the public? It’s immoral. This makes me wonder something deeper; why don’t reporters so freely share the truth? What is stopping them? The truth is something that the public will always desire, and the lies that the media feeds us will never be enough to satisfy us until we know the truth.

Not only is the truth something that our society craves, but it is the basis of all our actions. When we hear something new, we act on it. If we are told something false, whether we are aware of it being false or not, we still act on it. The more we keep reacting to the false information—fake news—the more apart we become as a society. Ethical journalism is crucial so that the right decisions, actions, and people can make a difference. Without the truth, we will never be able to prevent, protect, defend, and decide on the right things to better our towns, cities, states, and nation. Murrow understood this and acted on it when he put the betterment of society ahead of his career. Reporters and writers nationwide need to understand the importance of their jobs and their influence on the people who read and depend on their work.

Contrary to Murrow’s grasp of influence, I fear that current reporters and writers who provide information to the public are unaware of how much influence they have not only on the people, but on their opinions. This idea is extremely important, if not the most important in journalism. Murrow was aware of the influence his words had on the public and he chose to provide the people with the truth rather than the lies others told him to write. Reporters are seen as credible sources from the public. By this, I mean that the public automatically depends on the reporters to tell the truth. The amount of power a reporter has is underestimated. It is imperative that reporters do what is morally good and write the truth since the public already puts their faith in them to do so.

To finish, I wanted to talk about why ethical journalism is important to me as a developing writer. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a reporter. I loved the idea of people reading my articles and receiving news from me. So much so, that I even had my own typewriter to practice. When writing my articles, I strive to be as accurate, clear, and fair as possible. The importance of unbiased writing goes hand in hand with truthful writing. The ability to write to inform is my job, not the ability to persuade. Reporters all around are writing for the wrong reasons and for that, I think it necessary for them to recall what it means to be a reporter. The importance of writing and reporting ethically is our job. What kind of reporters would we be if all we wrote were lies? How can I be proud of my work when I know that all of it is fake? Edward Murrow stands as a model to all journalists so that we can remember why we do what we do, and to remind us of the importance our writing has on communities.

With that being said, it makes me proud that I am not one of the reporters Murrow was so highly against. It makes me appreciate the reporters who do tell the truth. They are bettering their communities whether they realize it or not. They are influencing their readers whether they realize it or not. The impact they have on their communities and the people who read their work is something that they will never understand since they cannot physically see it. However, we know it’s there. Ethical reporters rest easy knowing that their writings are true, thorough, and fair. Ethical reporters are free from the guilt that other reporters may or may not feel when they write their articles of lies. Taking the opportunity to appreciate those who report the truth when faced with terrible consequences are the heroes of our communities. We never know what kind of backlash they may or may not receive for reporting the truth—as truth is the most powerful weapon. Ethical reporters are the pillars of our future, just as Edward Murrow said they would be.

Read other articles by Gracie Smith

The crucial need for ethical journalism

Devin Owen
MSMU Class of 2026

Whenever I go home and visit family, I always make a point to stop and see my grandmother. It has become a sort of habit for us to sit in the living room and talk about everything under the sun. Her favorite topic, though, is what she’s reading in the news articles on her phone. It’s common for her to complain that journalists are writing about all of the bad things that are happening in the world, and she always asks, "Why can’t they just talk about the good things?" It’s simple: if we only focus on the good, we’re creating a blindness to the bad around us, and while that might be something that makes us feel better, it does us no good in the long run. Edward R. Murrow—every journalist’s idol—was an American broadcast journalist and war correspondent who emphasized and advocated for the importance of revealing the facts and following a path of truthfulness in journalism. Yes, it might cause uneasiness, discomfort, and many other negative feelings, but being truthful in our articulation of facts and events is crucial to journalism as a whole. What good would it do us to sugar coat everything?

To start, let me brief you on a crucial definition: ethical journalism is the practice of reporting news and information in a manner that is truthful, accurate, fair, and respects the dignity, privacy, and rights of individuals. Without adhering to the basics of ethical journalism, writers could report fake news, spread lies, and let rumors circulate in a way that is neither fair nor accurate to any party involved—said parties being written about, the writers themselves, and especially those reading. To thoroughly report on a topic such as this, my boss recommended that I watch the film "Good Night, and Good Luck" which represented the fight Murrow fought for ethical journalism. The film depicted how Murrow challenges Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist crusade—where McCarthy used his political platform to spread hearsay and abuse his power to create restlessness—using his television program "See It Now" to expose McCarthy's tactics and defend the rights of those accused of being communists during a period in which McCarthyism existed and created hysteria. This was a pivotal turning point for American journalism because we were shown just how important it is to tell the truth when reporting!

When asked why it’s important to have ethical journalism my brain kind of word vomits: every thought about ethics kind of just spills out without any particular clear form. So, going point by point of the mess in my head, I’d like to explain why ethical journalism is super important to society. First, the truth: granted I’ve already said a little bit on this topic but that’s because it is absolutely the biggest part of the concept! Truthfulness goes hand in hand with facts, and as journalists we are asked to report the facts. For a journalist, telling the truth is a form of creating a bond: it is essentially the foundation of trust between the media and the public.

Part of Murrow’s advocacy for ethical journalism was built on telling the truth. His argument was that truthfulness is essential for maintaining the integrity of the press and ensuring that citizens are well-informed participants in democracy. By reporting the truth, journalists uphold their responsibility to serve the public interest and hold those in power accountable; we cater to the people because it is only right that they get all the facts in order to make well-informed choices, and they can’t do that without the truth. Murrow had famously said,

"To be persuasive we must be believable;
to be believable we must be credible;
to be credible we must be truthful."

Another point of ethical journalism is respect. Not only is respect crucial for those and that which we’re writing about, but it also applies to those who we are writing to. There is a certain dignity that comes from respect, and it solidifies that foundation of trust I mentioned earlier. Respect in journalism also serves to create credibility for the journalist! For me personally, I know when I’m reading something in the news, I want to be reading it from a credible source/writer. What’s the point of reading the news if it isn’t going to be accurate? Additionally, respect in journalism helps to ensure fairness and accuracy in reporting, because it encourages journalists to approach their subjects with empathy, understanding, and an open mind. We can’t write the facts with bias, so keeping an open mind to new ideas is crucial.

Transitioning from the broader discussion of ethical journalism, let's delve into why journalism holds particular importance in local areas. The significance of journalism in a local area is similar to that of what we’ve already discussed about the importance of ethical journalism: it provides the facts and creates a foundation of trust and respect. However, most importantly it creates a voice for those in the community. Local journalism homes in on the issues/events that directly affect those in the area; it is a much more specific form of journalism. Consider if we, as the Emmitsburg News Journal, were to write about the events in Ocean City, Maryland rather than those in Emmitsburg: how does that benefit us as a community, if we aren’t hearing of the events of our community in the local newspaper? Journalism in local areas is essential for building informed, connected, and resilient communities. It plays a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability, civic engagement, and economic vitality at the grassroots level. Without local journalism, communities are denied of crucial information about the current events that directly affect their lives.

Speaking of current events and ethical journalism, accuracy is crucial to the concept. It ties into the basics of ethical journalism: journalists have an ethical responsibility to report the truth as best they can because it creates the foundation of truth between media and audience. Accuracy is a fundamental principle of journalism, so adhering to this principle is essential for upholding professional integrity and serving the public interest. We want to be able to have all the facts and truthful information before we make choices that might be considered a leap in some situations. Ethics are crucial to journalism, the factors of the concept ties into every aspect of journalism we see and without these qualities, journalism would be nothing more than hearsay.

Read other articles by Devin Owen

Ethics in Journalism

Dolores Hans
MSMU class of 2025

For as long as I can remember, I’ve included some form of religion in most of my journals, speeches, creative writings, essays, etc. Because religion is so important in my life, it is a natural tendency to incorporate it in my writing. However, becoming a journalist for the Emmitsburg News-Journal has brought up concerns for me as a writer. I wondered if it was ethical to include religion in my articles. While I do believe that there is a truth to what is ethical and what isn’t, I also know humans to see ethics relatively or subjectively. Even if we know that there is a moral and ethical truth, we still tend to think it should be for everyone what it is for us. When I asked if I could mention God or my faith in the articles I wrote, I was told that I could, and that statistically, most people reading the articles would also come from some sort of faith background. There are certain ethical questions one must ask themselves when writing, specifically when that writing is supposed to inform the readers. Is what I’m saying accurate and true? This question is not as easy to answer as you may think, because "true" for me may not be "true" for you. For example, I know a person who wrote a song about a situation centered around someone else who caused them a great heartache. While the lyrics do contain many truths about the situation in general, the only truth we hear is that of the writer’s. We don’t know the heart or intent of the person he was writing about. We only have one perspective.

As writers, we are called to gain as many perspectives and truths as we can about a story, event, person, etc. To speak a truth is a challenge because people may not be receptive to it. Edward R. Murrow, the man whose quote is on the front page on the Emmitsburg News-Journal, felt that he had to be courageous and truthful, which helped expose McCarthyism. There are some people in this world who would say their opinions with no regard for sensitivity or empathy, and others who are not courageous enough to speak the truth that needs to be heard, out of fear of hurting someone. These extremes will isolate us from each other and only make it harder for us to trust what we are being told. It is hard to find a balance, but if you remember the mission, good things can happen. Murrow was truthful and courageous—he spoke righteously without fear of causing discomfort. Notice that he didn't intend to hurt others with his words; he just had to be firm in his authority and know that the truth hurts sometimes. Murrow said, "To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful".

Truth isn’t guaranteed. All we can do is put ourselves in the right positions and get the right information to be factual, unbiased, and inspiring.

Another ethical question a writer must ask themselves: Does their writing shows bias? When I write an article, I try to proofread it in someone else’s shoes. For example, way back in September, I wrote an article, much like a creative writing story, about a boy and his single mother. After drafting my article, I put myself in the shoes of a signal mother, and I read my article and tried to find spots in which there was a stereotype or any other way I could offend someone. I also based a lot of the story on real-life experiences from people and families I know who have struggled financially. My family struggled for a while growing up, and I remember the days our neighbor would mow the lawn, or various families from my parish donated a hot meal for me and my family. These are experiences that I knew would be okay to use in the article. Another thing to think about when giving information, or receiving it, is if there is an abuse of power. We rely on the newspapers and news channels to inform us of just about everything going on in the world. I don’t typically watch the news anymore, and I never really did when I was younger, but at least then I had to go through it to get to the good channels. In the last five or so years, I have noticed that I don’t know who to believe anymore. CNN? FOX? Not a clue. They all seem biased to me. These writers know that they have information we need, so they could twist the truths of it to sway our perspective of it to fit theirs, if they wanted to.

Think about your favorite writer. He or she could be a poet, a playwright, a song lyric writer, a novelist, etc. What about his or her style, message, personal qualities, etc. makes you like them? What are some qualities of his or her writing? Is he or she truthful, reliable, unbiased, entertaining, deep, personable, etc.? Does he or she abuse their power to sway your perspectives to fit theirs? Does he or she inspire you to enrich your soul with goodness?

All this to say, we should be careful who we listen to or read from. That being said, we shouldn’t expect perfection from writers either. Edward R. Murrow says, "It is not, I think, humanly possible for any reporter to be completely objective, for we are all to some degree prisoners of our education, travel, reading—the sum total of our experience."

I am grateful to write for such a beautiful and small, local paper. Being more certain of who I am writing to, and the ideals held in the area, has helped me feel connected to each reader, and has kept me in line. I can’t abuse my power, because let’s face it, I have none. All that matters is a potentially good read that might reach your hearts or make you think, and that’s all I could ask for. So, I say with depth and truth, thank you.

Read other articles by Dolores Hans

Typewriters and dreams

Claire Doll
MSMU Class of 2024

Before you read my article, take a moment to flip to the front of the News-Journal. Just between the title and the first headline is a quote in italics, small enough to be tucked into the paper, and large enough to resonate with you: "Exalting the importance of ideas and information" – Edward R. Murrow.

My first article for the Emmitsburg News-Journal was titled "The Power of Words" and established the truth-seeking, empowering ability of journalism. To write this article, I sought information about Edward R. Murrow and his work as a broadcast journalist. The risks he took to remain truthful no matter the cost. His prominence during the rise of communism, and his strides for journalism. Watching the film that tells his story—"Good Night and Good Luck"—encouraged me to cultivate my own identity as a writer and my consistent pursuit for the truth. In fact, writing for this News-Journal has ensured the validity of my craft and exposed me to a small corner in the world of journalism.

I’ll take you through what inspired me to apply to the Emmitsburg News-Journal in the first place. It really traces back to me being around eight years old. All my life I have dreamed of being a writer, but the obsession with words and language began with Kit Kittredge, an American Girl Doll. Cropped, blonde hair parted into a bob and freckles scattered across her cheeks, Kit Kittredge was an aspiring journalist who wrote articles about the Great Depression for her town. She was only ten, and I was a bit younger than her, but I saw myself in this doll, how she carried a journal and ventured through her town and kept a typewriter in her attic bedroom. I wanted to have a typewriter because of her; to this day, I search antique stores and consignment shops for one.

But as I grew through middle and high school, and as Kit Kittredge found her way to an old bin in my garage, my love for writing narrowed to a concrete, attractive focus: creative writing. I loved novels. I dreamed of being a published author, with bestsellers lined on my shelf and a writing desk overlooking the ocean (or a lake, or a river), and my name, in print, on a hardcover. In college, I began writing for literary magazines, editing my university’s publication, and taking all the writing classes I could.

I then received the notification to apply for the Emmitsburg News-Journal, in a schoolwide email.

My curiosity to explore a new form of writing and return to my childhood love of American Girl Dolls ultimately inspired me to apply. I thought about Kit Kittredge in my garage, about my untouched dream of being a writer, about how amazing it might feel to see my name in print. Claire Doll. I realized then how important it was to apply, to branch out. To acknowledge my love for writing in a new field. To take a risk.

Since September of my sophomore year, I have written more than fifty articles for the Emmitsburg News-Journal and Woodsboro-Walkersville News-Journal. Through Four Years at the Mount, I have been asked to reflect on current events, or research lost parts of history, or tell stories from my past. I also began writing feature stories by venturing out into the community and introducing myself to prominent town members of Emmitsburg, Thurmont, Fairfield, Walkersville, and Union Bridge and telling the stories of others: the history of fire departments, cats living in small businesses, the accomplishments of local individuals. When I was asked to do feature assignments—something I had no experience in—I felt obligated and excited to try. I fell in love with the process and trained myself to report the news and document these stories in authentic, respectable ways.

In my own small way, I have honored Edward R. Murrow’s quote. After all, to write for the Emmitsburg and Woodsboro-Walkersville News-Journal means to focus on truth and information and ideas. Journalism—ethical, truth-seeking journalism—requires the heart of a writer, the fight for a story. The lit-up keyboard of a MacBook, or the tapping of a typewriter. The scrawls carved in a notebook, the ink stains on hand. Journalism is commitment. It’s different from creative writing, but do not think that it's not as beautiful, as inspiring, as relevant.

Local journalism is especially important in that it fosters an informed, educated community and promises ethical writing. You might notice how our paper is not littered with advertisements, but rather filled with community contributors, astronomy columns, cooking recipes, creative writing, gardening advice—our paper encourages involvement and engagement. It’s what I love about this News Journal, and why I handle each article with intention and attention to detail. I know who I am writing to. My professors who read this paper, or any local community members I’ve ever met (hi, everyone!). My parents, who lovingly read every article, or my roommate Emma, who listens carefully as I read my articles out loud for her. I know my audience; I live in the same wooded mountainside of Emmitsburg, the same backroads meeting Main Street. I feel not only obligated, but also honored to report the most truthful facts, to treat each feature story with the utmost respect. Because, after all, these stories go right from my fingertips to the entire town. There is no in between. No ads blocking my words, no filter. Local journalism protects authenticity and promotes identity.

Edward R. Murrow also said this: "To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful." My journey through journalism has been informed completely by Edward Murrow, tracing back to my very first article. With every feature article, every Four Years at the Mount column, every interview, I find myself thanking the Emmitsburg News-Journal for truly a one-time opportunity. I still write creatively, and it’s still my dream, but I’ve learned more about myself through journalism. I’ve learned how devoted I am to tell one’s story, and I’ve learned how rewarding this can be. I have a couple months left as a student at Mount St. Mary’s, but I hope I’ve left my own legacy on this paper, hope I can continue to write like this any way I can.

And I hope I can one day find myself a typewriter.

Read other articles by Claire Doll

Read Past Editions of Four Years at the Mount