Ethical Debate About Petitions

[inwausau]

So, one of our reporters puts up a petition in the newsroom.

It's from the local battered women's shelter and is a vow to do all we can to stop sexual violence. And I believe all the signatures will be published in the local newspaper.

Then, she's appalled when some people in the newsroom refuse to sign it. She says "how can anyone be opposed to sexual assault?" and "how is this different from an event like walking in a yearly walk-a-thon to raise money to fight breast cancer."

Others in the newsroom say as newspeople we shouldn't be publicly showing any support for any agenda, even if it's one we all agree with. Like ending sexual violence for example.

What's your take?

[MichaelPS]

I have always taken a rather hard line on this, so I think the idea of signing a petition is never a very good idea.

Let's say a year from now, it turns out that a woman who has sought a safe haven from one of the shelters supported by this petition refuses her entry. They're too full, or there's a court order, or some other reason. And she's killed. You then have to disclose, or at least you should, that you've supported this shelter on a personal level, and the newsroom had supported the shelter by professionally sanctioning the posting of the petition.

Or let's say it turns out that the shelter is asking for funding from the county. You have to disclose, or you should, that you have a publicly vested interest in the success of the shelter.

Or let's say it turns out that the shelter isn't as safe as it could be because there haven't been enough precautions taken to guarantee the location's anonymity, or the security of the perimeter. Again, you're on record as being on the side of the shelter.

This is very difficult for many people who call themselves journalists to grasp. However, there is a very uncomfortable side effect to this industry. You don't take sides. On anything. It's hard. We seem very callous. But to paraphrase another industry, it's the life we chose. There are other jobs. Ones where you can speak your mind and fight for as many causes as you like. But like I said, I take a hard line on this. And it never steered me wrong.

[Clever Login Name]

Well put, Michael. The ND in this situation should never have allowed anyone to post a petition in the newsroom. It needs to come down ... yesterday.

[Lazlo Toth]

I don't sign anybody's petition for anything. It just works better that way.

[s'news]

Clever Login Name is right that MichaelPS is right. I can see someone making a distinction, or trying to, with how the petition is worded. It isn't a direct show of support for the shelter but, rather, a claim that you'll do all you can to fight sexual violence. Well, I'm already anti-sexual violence. I'm also against nonsexual violence. I'm arguably not doing everything I can to fight it, but I also have other priorities in life.

I don't believe I've signed a petition since I was in high school.

[The Mockingbird]

I started a petition to end petitions signing by journalists. graemlins/eusa_shifty.gif

[NYC Street]

I signed a petition last year relating to violence against journalists. Cleared it with managemnet first. Didn't have a problem with it...still don't. This isn't all that much different... but I still don't like it in the newsroom.