Cleaning Up Our Own Backyard

Abstract

Mike Jempson, a journalist for 30 years and is now director of The PressWise Trust (MediaWise), the charity that provides advice and training on media ethics issues, examines the case for statutory control and concludes: "Fear of a media backlash may have persuaded successive governments to fight shy of statutory controls, but how would the industry react if civil society groups were to devise alternative methods of holding us to account? Among those I have heard bruited in reputable quarters is publication on the internet of the assets, political affiliations and financial interests of individual journalists. Or lists of untrustworthy journalists to whom no one should speak. Others have mooted the idea of hiring hire private detectives to spy on editors to expose their infidelities, financial dealings and substance abuse. I am sure the media would denounce them as vindictive busybodies... But who knows what support such naming and shaming might win if the public at last refuses to accept journalists operating with impunity and journalism condoning unethical conduct in the pursuit of profit?"