Shattered Glass addresses the ethical issue of fabricating stories in journalism. The movie tells the story of Stephen Glass, a young reporter for The New Republic who was found to have fabricated or partially fabricated over half of his stories. In the movie Stephens editor was portrayed as not standing behind Stephen when his story began to come under fire, but should he have? Is it his editor’s job to protect the magazine or his reporters?
One side of the argument states that Stephen’s editor should have stood behind Stephen when Forbes called about the story, asserting that he trusted his reporter and his story. This side of the argument says that editors should always have inherent trust in their reporters- until that is broken. Another side of the argument says that Chuck was correct in questioning the story and Stephen right off the bat. This side argues that Chuck’s job first and foremost is to protect the magazine and to immediately question and investigate every suspicious and questionable piece of information that comes through. This argument believes that if Chuck were to immediately stand by Stephen he would not be doing his job as an editor of the magazine. This follows the ethical framework of Utilitarianism- that harm of one person is acceptable for the betterment of the group. Chuck was acting for the betterment of the entire magazine, not just Stephen.
There have unfortunately been many cases of reporters fabricating stories throughout the year. Janet Cooke, a reporter for the Washington Post famously fabricated a story about an 8-year old heroin addict. In a report by Bill Green in the Washington Post, describing how “Jimmy’s World” came to be published he blamed the trust of the editor in the reporter. “The jugular of journalism lay exposed — the faith an editor has to place in a reporter.” Because of Cooke’s editors trust in her her sources were never questioned or her story doubted. And because of that trust there was less checking then there should have been in this story. If her editors had done their job to the paper like they were supposed to, the story would have never ran and the whole situation could have been avoided.
If I were in this situation, if I were in Chuck’s position, I believe I would have handled it much the same as he did. I believe Chuck was correct in questioning Stephen right away. Publications are defined by their trustworthiness, and the responsibility of that trust falls onto the editors and the reporters. This may just be because I am a cynical person, but I think it is always important to double check your facts and not say you are sure of someone, or a story, until you are actually sure.
Sadly, fabrication has had a large impact on journalism. This is in part due from journalist’s own drive to win Pulitzers and the publics increasing demand for entertainment instead of facts. Journalist now write to achieve an emotion from their readers instead of just telling the facts, they are no longer reporters but storytellers. This demand from the public has caused journalist to stretch their quotes and sources- even make them up entirely- just to get more attention to their article. Journalism needs to take a step back from sensationalism, and in turn receive a step back from fabrication.
Intro To Journalism Ethics Lecture
https://storify.com/nicole_kraft/media-law-and-ethics-in-film-comm-3404
Bill Green Article
http://academics.smcvt.edu/dmindich/Jimmy’s%20World.htm
Jimmys World
http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/markport/lit/litjour/spg2002/cooke.htm
Shattered Glass Movie