The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) ethics advisory committee has released a new report on the methods journalists use to gain consent from their subjects and sources, especially those who are vulnerable and/or marginalized. The discussion paper asks if journalists should be obligated to disclose any potentially harmful consequences of revealing private information in order to obtain informed consent from their sources.
Is this a radical notion that potentially undermines the press’ ability to serve the public interest or should journalists take more care when dealing with vulnerable people?
Click here to view the full discussion paper »
Panel members: Meredith Levine, of Western University’s graduate journalism program; Kathy English, Public Editor at the Toronto Star; CBC Ombudsman Esther Enkin; and Julian Sher, Senior Producer for CBC’s the Fifth Estate.
Levine and Sher will lead a workshop dealing with the questions raised in the discussion paper as part of the 2014 CAJ conference in Vancouver, May 9-10.
