The Journalist and the Murder was such an intriguing and infuriating book. In my eyes, McGinniss is a viler human than MacDonald because it’s so difficult to decide whether or not MacDonald actually did it, but we know that McGinniss double-crossed his subject and seemed to think he did no wrong. And that is somewhat disgusting. There are a few lines in the book that really struck me, like the sentiment that a journalist’s job is to “report, not to invent”. Also, that some those on McGinniss’ side believed that lying was okay because it was necessary.

The conclusion mentioned something about a journalist having to work in moral anarchy, which is a puzzling statement. And frankly, I really can’t figure out what it exactly means. My favorite to lines are the following two:  “But the writer of nonfiction is only a renter, who must abide by the conditions of his lease, which stipulates that he leave the house – and its name Actuality – as he found it” and “What gives journalism its authenticity and vitality is the tension between the subject’s blind self-absorption and the journalist’s skepticism.” And I do believe a journalist should never be too trusting.

While skimming Ohio’s Sunshine Laws, it became clear to me that every Ohio citizen should do the same. Furthermore, journalists should dig even deeper into the document so that they can serve both their ethical standards and the public’s right to truth. However, I did take away that the media do not possess any higher rights than the general public, which should be taken into consideration when searching and publishing public records. From the stance of citizen, the sunshine laws provide governmental transparency, which breeds trust between constituents and institutions. Another important takeaway is that there are exemptions from public records because although transparency is important, so it confidentiality to all citizens.

The article about linking provides four good descriptions of journalism, in that it should be honest, transparent, laden with attributions and context. In most cases, I see unpublishing a story as an unfair concession where journalists may have their hands tied. If a journalist heeds to one request, they may lose firm credibility and have to agree to this request more in the future. I think it is more appropriate to offer an addendum or a follow-up, as the first Poynter article suggests. Rolling Stone’s statement on its UVA article is laudable but also may have come to late because of how explosive the reaction to the misdeed was. A situation like this is something that no journalist ever wants to find themselves in, yet if it does happen, we must be ready. The statement mentions judgement, which is such a subjective entity that a lapse in it might create negative consequences. We are human and humans do make mistakes, but many professions cannot afford to make any mistakes; journalism is one of these. I think it is better to make a correction that to try and cover up or ignore the mistake. Corrections build integrity within and without, and that is something all journalists constantly need.

Race is a touchy, if not the most sensitive, topic to be discussed, especially in the media. Since racism still lives in this country, it is important to highlight that when discussing topics of race. But race does not need to be brought into everything, if not relevant. Those other than whites have been demonized and criminalized in America, and sometimes the media can still do such a thing today. Black Lives Matter protesters are still treated as criminal – even uncivilized people – which is not the case. The pictures shown on TV of Trayvon Martin or Michael Brown were of them with their hoods up or middle fingers to the camera, but pictures of white kids who launch attacks on their schools are shown in suits and described as “good, smart kids”.

And African-American is considered the polite term, even though it isn’t. Because those with European descendants are not called European-Americans anymore. The term resurfaces all of the past oppression black people have faced in America and overgeneralizing with the term “African-American”. Race should not be an issue across the aisle because it is not a matter of different ideologies. At its core, it’s common sense and simple compassion for other human beings. Conservatives retort with “All Lives Matter”, but consider the lives of white males or even fetuses the only lives that do matter. Saying “all lives matter” ignores the current movement and the systemic racism that has plagued this country. It is an obvious fact that all lives matter, but that is not the relevant point at the moment.

As the SPJ articles point out, journalists need to be transparent, like mirrors to the truth. We seek trust from our audience, and that trust can only be fully gained through this transparency. But we also must not be too formal because this makes readers and viewers less likely to engage with us. We don’t want to be statues. It is still shocking that the journalist in the most prominent spot on television, Brian Williams, lied in such a grandiose way that now is entire legacy is tarnished. He should not be treated any lighter than any other journalist because of this; he should still have to follow the code of ethics. And we all should too.