Request for Speaker on Journalism Ethics

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001135

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE; INFO WHA/PDA MJOHNSON; APRUITT;
RBANKS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO JM
SUBJECT: Request for Speaker on Journalism Ethics



1. Summary: Post seeks a speaker to direct a three day
program of discussions and training on ethics issues for
journalists and journalism students. End Summary.


2. Proposed Program Dates: A three-day program in Jamaica
in September 2005 (dates are flexible but preferred dates
are mid-September).


3. MPP Strategic Goal: "Democratic Systems and Practices"


4. Purpose of the Program: Post seeks a speaker to address
ethics issues in journalism. Topics of particular relevance
to Jamaica are: reporting on scandal,- speculation and
rumor; objectivity and personal agendas; editorial page
ethics; ethics and the Internet; special interests buying
coverage; plagiarism and deception; ethics in reporting
crime and violence (including photojournalism/visual
presentation); and boundaries and guidelines.

Jamaica is a small society. Rumor and speculation
(presented as fact) circulate fast, often fueled by the
personal opinions of radio talk show hosts and newspaper
columnists, many without journalism training. Conflicts of
interest abound; media figures generally have affiliations
crossing public and private sectors. Journalists, young and
old alike, find themselves pressured by special interests
and distracted by rumor and innuendo. In an increasingly
competitive media landscape, reporters are also under
pressure to break stories at any cost. Factual and
objective reporting is often a casualty of all these
pressures.

Jamaica will benefit from accurate and fair reporting, based
on clear analysis of the facts and with high professional
standards. While some media houses, such as the Gleaner
newspaper, have attempted to establish their own code of
ethics, the topic is barely addressed by the English-
speaking Caribbean's only journalism training school. The
proposed speaker program will address this issue and
sensitize younger journalists and journalism students about
the importance of ethical considerations.


5. Audience: Practicing journalists and editors (print and
broadcast media); youth reporters; students and lecturers in
journalism and communications.


6. Proposed topics and nature of events: Workshop
(consisting of two morning sessions) for practicing
journalists; lunch with the Media Association of Jamaica
(influential media bosses); Editors Forum at the Gleaner
newspaper; meeting with lecturers at the Caribbean Institute
of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) at the University of
the West Indies; presentation to a CARIMAC undergraduate
class; after-school discussion session with teenage
journalists.


7. Type of specialist required: An academic from a
journalism school such as Columbia University Graduate
School of Journalism, the School of Journalism and
Communication at the University of Oregon or the College of
Communications at California State University, Fullerton.


8. Language: English.


9. Funding specifics: I Bucks.


10. Post program officer: Glenn Guimond, PAO; tel: (876) 935-
6053; fax: (876) 929-3637; email:guimondg@state.gov. Back-
up program officer: Emma Lewis, PAA, tel: (876) 935-6009;
fax: (876) 929-3637; email: lewisec@state.gov.

Regards,

Tighe