Issues in Journalism
Essay: The Lessons of Shattered Glass
“Every journalist, from the newsroom to the boardroom, must have a personal sense of ethics
and responsibility --- a moral compass. “ (TLE pg. 231)
“There are no laws of news … it ends up being your own guiding compass that will determine
what you do and what you don’t do.” (Carol Morin, TLE, pg. 231)
Directions: For your next essay, explore how the focus on journalistic ethics changed in light of
high-profile scandals involving Stephen Glass, Janet Cooke, Jayson Blair, Mike Barnicle and
others. Explore how newsrooms, management, journalism associations and academia are trying
to guide journalists into making the correct ethical decisions. Cite specific references in your
essay. This is not an opinion essay.
Word count: 450-550 words
Some questions that may guide your essay:
--Focus on Jayson Blair and discuss how The New York Times changed in light of that scandal.
-- Focus on Stephen Glass and write about how which principles detailed in The Elements of
Journalism he violated during his writing career.
---What is the impact on ethics in today’s modern newsroom with its reliance on Internet sources
and 24/7 deadlines?
--Focus on where Stephen Glass/Jayson Blair and other journalists caught in ethical scandals are
today. What’s their story?
--Focus on how journalism schools handle the issue of reporting ethics today. Are there new
courses focusing on ethics? Is ethics now an integral part of day-to-day journalism courses?
-- What roles do groups such as the Society of Professional Journalists or journalism think tanks
such as The Poynter Institute, play in fostering journalistic ethics?
-- Focus on the unprecedented wave of cheating/plagiarism at U.S. universities and its
implication for those seeking careers as journalists.
--Focus on principles detailed in Chapter 10 and cite examples from “Shattered Glass” on how
they were violated or upheld.
Double space your work. Cite references quoted using a simple system. Provide a simple
bibliography of cited sources.
Put a word count on your essay. Keep grafs to 1-3 sentences. You will be graded on
punctuation, grammar, clarity and the depth of your essay.
Deadline: Start of class Monday, Nov. 22
Final daze memo
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
(Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, deceased)
Week 13
Monday:
Conclusion of “Shattered Glass”
Essay assigned
Wednesday
Lecture: Chapter 11
Possible spot quiz on the reading
Reading assignment for Week 14: The first half of "The Journalist and the Murderer"
Week 14
Monday:
“Glass” essay is due at start of class
Discussion on the first half of “The Journalist and the Murderer”
Spot quiz on the reading
Final paper will be assigned
Wednesday:
No formal class lecture today as you begin work on your final paper. I will be available for individual
consults to help you research and focus your paper.
Reading assignment for Week 15: Finish “The Journalist and the Murderer”
Week 15
Monday:
Hollywood and the movies: “The Paper”
Discussion on the second half of “The Journalist and the Murderer”
Wednesday:
“The Paper” and discussion on any questions relating to your final assignment
Week 16
Final paper is due. Drop it off at my office by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5