Former Oakland Press editor: MI's primary election laws pose a 'serious ethical issue' for journalis
Former Oakland Press editor: Michigan's primary election laws pose a 'serious ethical issue' for journalists
Published: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 6:30 AM Updated: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 7:39 AM
By Gus Burns | [email protected]
ROCHESTER — Muddying the ethical waters of journalistic objectivity, or at least the outward appearance of that objectivity, are state primary election laws passed in 2007.
The law requires the Secretary of State to collect party ballot selection information from voters, along with their name and address, and provide the compiled data to heads of the Republican and Democrat parties.
(Breakdown of Michigan primary election law here)
The information is also available to the public.
This "poses a serious ethical issue for journalists," says Garry J. Gilbert, who worked as editor of The Oakland Press in Pontiac from 1998 to 2006. "I've always believed that endorsing any political candidate or idea creates the appearance of bias. I think journalists should avoid political bumper stickers, campaign signs in their yards, buttons on their coats, or participating in marches for any cause."
Gilbert, the director of journalism at Oakland University in Rochester, teaches media ethics, his "favorite course."
more...
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/02/former_oakland_press_editor_mi.html
