Comments on: Potential Conflicts of Interest http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/potential-conflicts-of-interest/ Ethics, Law & Good Practice Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:18:44 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Roseann Lake http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/potential-conflicts-of-interest/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Roseann Lake Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:40:34 +0000 http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/5-potential-conflicts-of-interest/#comment-58 Makes sense, but I sometimes think many journalists agree to write a story on something simply because they want a free ticket or invitation. I have colleagues that work in the food industry, and are frequently organizing imported wine, cheese, and chocolate conferences/tastings. Journalists fawn all over them so that they can attend, and pretty much always say good things because they want to get invited back for the next one. Makes sense, but I sometimes think many journalists agree to write a story on something simply because they want a free ticket or invitation. I have colleagues that work in the food industry, and are frequently organizing imported wine, cheese, and chocolate conferences/tastings. Journalists fawn all over them so that they can attend, and pretty much always say good things because they want to get invited back for the next one.

]]> By: Michael Fitzgerald http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/potential-conflicts-of-interest/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Michael Fitzgerald Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:34:25 +0000 http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/5-potential-conflicts-of-interest/#comment-22 I've worked at a technology trade publication and a technology Web site as a writer and an editor. There was not so much concern about who bought lunch or dinner, perhaps because so much of the work did involve attending conferences that cost far more than any dinner I've ever attended. Perhaps complicating that issue is that many times the conference features panelists run by or filled with journalists, who aren't being paid for their time, even though they're providing 'content' that the conference charges money for. These same publications were sticklers for not accepting junkets, by the way (and most if not all the European journalists I know deride American journalists for thinking it makes us more ethical for not doing so). I’ve worked at a technology trade publication and a technology Web site as a writer and an editor. There was not so much concern about who bought lunch or dinner, perhaps because so much of the work did involve attending conferences that cost far more than any dinner I’ve ever attended. Perhaps complicating that issue is that many times the conference features panelists run by or filled with journalists, who aren’t being paid for their time, even though they’re providing ‘content’ that the conference charges money for.

These same publications were sticklers for not accepting junkets, by the way (and most if not all the European journalists I know deride American journalists for thinking it makes us more ethical for not doing so).

]]> By: Michael Fitzgerald http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/potential-conflicts-of-interest/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Michael Fitzgerald Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:14:14 +0000 http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/5-potential-conflicts-of-interest/#comment-20 There's nuance to gifts even in cultures where we might think it is generally accepted. When I was reporting in Taiwan in 1995, I had read that it was considered polite to bring small gifts to business meetings, which in effect my interviews were. When I got there, laden with small gifts (I don't remember how small they were; they may have included publication marketing schwag), I found that in fact gifts were not expected, at least from Americans, with the exception of the two politicians I met with. There is still a tie sitting somewhere in my closet that was given to me by one official. I've never worn it, but it was a gift, so I feel uncomfortable getting rid of it. There’s nuance to gifts even in cultures where we might think it is generally accepted. When I was reporting in Taiwan in 1995, I had read that it was considered polite to bring small gifts to business meetings, which in effect my interviews were. When I got there, laden with small gifts (I don’t remember how small they were; they may have included publication marketing schwag), I found that in fact gifts were not expected, at least from Americans, with the exception of the two politicians I met with. There is still a tie sitting somewhere in my closet that was given to me by one official. I’ve never worn it, but it was a gift, so I feel uncomfortable getting rid of it.

]]> By: Robin Mejia http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/potential-conflicts-of-interest/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Robin Mejia Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:50:38 +0000 http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/5-potential-conflicts-of-interest/#comment-19 Bradley, The situation you describe probably qualifies as accepting a free ticket, which, according to paragraph 6, NYU allows. In the technology industry, which I sometimes cover, it's standard practice for conferences to waive fees -- often in the $1500 range -- for journalists. Personally, I like to think that this doesn't influence my coverage, but you're probably right that this is worth discussing. Bradley,

The situation you describe probably qualifies as accepting a free ticket, which, according to paragraph 6, NYU allows.

In the technology industry, which I sometimes cover, it’s standard practice for conferences to waive fees — often in the $1500 range — for journalists. Personally, I like to think that this doesn’t influence my coverage, but you’re probably right that this is worth discussing.

]]> By: Bradley Hope http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/potential-conflicts-of-interest/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Bradley Hope Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:57:01 +0000 http://journalism.nyu.edu/ethics/handbook/5-potential-conflicts-of-interest/#comment-18 This can be tough for reporters who frequently attend breakfast and lunch panel discussions or gala events where a prominent person is speaking. Publicists are quick to offer a free seat at a meal that can cost several hundred dollars if you buy a ticket. I think there should be more discussion of this. Does it create a psychological feeling of good will toward the host of the event? This can be tough for reporters who frequently attend breakfast and lunch panel discussions or gala events where a prominent person is speaking. Publicists are quick to offer a free seat at a meal that can cost several hundred dollars if you buy a ticket.

I think there should be more discussion of this. Does it create a psychological feeling of good will toward the host of the event?

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