Heavy duty pro ethical dilema here....

[HEyHEY]

Okay, my Dad is a city councillor. He told me some stuff that could easily be public knowledge. But he doesn't wanna tell the papers until next week, now, the paper in my hometown is owned by the same guy that owns my paper......I'm itching to tell him, but I don't wanna betray my Dad. However, it wouldn't be a big betrayal by any means, it would not hurt his political career at all. It's just that he is out of town this week and wants to be around to answer questions.

The story is that three councillors came to an agreement on how they would vote on a motion days before it was scheduled to be voted on..they did it via internet and it's all on paper...in BC this is illegal.

So, my Dad contacted the Ministry of Municipal affairs and they'll be conducting and investigation.

Should I tell the other paper?

[Lars39]

1. It might not hurt his career this time,

but it could change the way people deal with him in the future if it became known that whatever he knows would be in print via you. Could possibly make people a little wary of him, even if he is in the right. :shrug: Just my 2.

on edit: wasn't clear; motrin'll do that. :)

[camero]

2. Nah I would let him do it

You gave your word to him I would guess and since he filed the complaint it should be his call. Maybe you could get him to talk to your editor?

[HEyHEY]

5. well.

I am my editor, it's an editor in the same chain at the paper that services my hometown

[camero]

12. Oh ok

Then it would just be between you and him. I would get his permission to write first.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Short answer: Don't blow the confidence.

This is a small scoop in the general scheme of things, You want to err on the side of caution here, for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to prove to Dad that you will maintain a confidence when it isn't convenient to do so.

[Raven]

4. NO!!! Not if you want your Dad to confide in you again!

Getting that kind of information from a close family mamber is alot like the lawyer/client relationship. If you blab it around you are breaking faith and you won't be trusted again. Your father is confiding in you because he trusts you and values your judgment...if you keep his confidence and his faith, you may be very valuable to him in the future.

ps. This advice stands whether or not your Dad swore you to secrecy!

[DrWeird]

6. The people have a right to know.

right?

[kstewart33]

8. Put your relationship with your Dad first

The public will know soon enough. Nothing is more important than preserving your Dad's trust.

[gpandas]

7. alway family first for me, that's why families work.

[Mick Knox]

9. No Way, dont betray your dad over that..

Not worth it.. and its not even a big deal if they thrash out and decide how to vote.. thats what democracy is.. why is that illegal in BC?

[Dookus]

10. I think that you should ask your Dad

never to discuss such things with you in the future.

I think journalists have an obligation to publish what they know to be true and newsworthy. Making exceptions for family members is a form of corruption.

[Az]

11. Bad idea

While it may be nothing you risk far too much if your father considers it to be a break of trust. He may poopoo it when you bring it up to him. But the respect garnered overweighs it.