Real Name: Chris Cobler Address: 311 E. Constitution St. Victoria, TX 77901 Gender: male Member Since: September 16, 2007 Last Signed In: October 13, 2008 Profile Views: 2309 Blog Views: 14495 What constitutes an online threat, Part Two What do you think of Twitter? Who's Got Spirit? We hope our readers are the ultimate winners Can you tell the election is only a month away? Where do you turn for listings about businesses? Crikey, why did we write about alligator hunting? Aggies, butterflies, Pandora radio, and keeping Victoria beautiful What turns regular people into monsters? What is it about stories involving dogs? September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 
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Ethics board discusses how we handle tough photographs, stories
We reviewed how we handle sensitive photographs and controversial stories during Tuesday's ethics board meeting. To review our agenda, check my previous post here.
Here's a quick summary of what we concluded regarding sensitive photographs. - First, review SPJ and NPPA code of ethics. A line in the NPPA code seemed to get to the crux of the decision-making regarding last month's Fatal Funnel photo: "Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see." In the case of the Fatal Funnel photo, we decided it was important to show the humanity and the horror that so deeply affected those we were writing about and changed Victoria in ways we're still discovering five years later. - Have group discussion about tough photos. Best decisions in these situations are collaborative. - Consider our audience, maybe involve them in decision whether to publish. Also consider whether to publish more graphic photos online only. - Explain decision on same day as publication when possible. - Be able to explain decision to family. - Be ready to discuss more with readers. - De-brief afterward to be sure we learn from decision. Bottom line: A good and aggressive newspaper will make some uncomfortable at times. Ethics board disagreed on whether photo should have run, but all agreed we followed this outlined procedure and could justify the decision to publish Fatal Funnel photo. To see the particular photo in question and others, click here. We also discussed Tuesday our news coverage surrounding the four indicted city officials and their dispute with the Victoria district attorney. Board agreed our news coverage of indicted 4 has been fair and balanced. Both sides have criticized us. In terms of one staffer's perception about the editor laughing with mayor, we cannot avoid the reality that community journalists are involved with people and events where they live. In fact, we encourage these connections as being at the heart of what makes a community newspaper different from other forms of media. The editor might laugh with the mayor one day and the district attorney the next. A reporter might attend her child's school event. An owner might contribute to a community cause. These connections strengthen us and the community we serve. Still, we need to be sensitive to readers' perceptions and aware of our own personal biases. Toward that end: - Take a collaborative approach to news. - Involve and listen to readers. - Be transparent. Bottom line: It's OK to laugh. Just be sure to take fairness seriously and communicate that with readers. What would you add to either checklist? 5 comments from 3 users
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posted by
Chattykatty
on Aug 8, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Chris, News paper people are suppose to leave their personal opinions out of stories. What journalism planet...are you on? I don't care about the meetings. Just grow up and do real journalism. And sorry, what Frank wrote, another sick puppie. posted by
ChrisCobler
on Aug 8, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Chatty Katty,I'm at a loss to understand the source of your anger against Frank. He's worked at the Advocate and lived in this community for 30 years. He married a wonderful local gal and raised their children here. He's a deeply religious man who cares deeply about photojournalism, his neighbors and his co-workers. Is he a saint? Far from it, but I'm proud to work with and learn from him. In terms of seeing the thinking in our meetings, we plan to soon offer live videostreaming of our morning planning meetings. Watch for details of that. There are many angles to any story, particularly a big issue like illegal immigration. We welcome our readers' suggestions and contributions on all topics. In the meantime, you and anyone else is welcome to come by to discuss any specific concerns. I'd be happy to set up such a discussion. My direct number is 361-574-1271. posted by
Chattykatty
on Aug 7, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Need to know....I think your "blighted thinking of what side of need to know" has you wearing blinders. I have been told that if only we could see how hard the brains ponder at the meetings over the stories for print. Many times there appears to be little brow sweat or your standards are low. As for your funnel stories. The title was inappropriate. Also the caregivers could have been presented in a much better light with a spread that was totally focused on them and what they do now --with photo shots to support that. That would have been a great human interest story. Instead you want just to feel sorry for the victims and continue to support illegal entry. Just today your illustrious photo editor Frank Tilley took that posture while trying to sound scholarly and Christianly. Instead it came off like a pompous a**. His comments give your group no further credit. Your stories which you say were trying to say affected all -- impacted some who supported illegal trafficking. I can't stomach such a coward that left people out there and locked the door of the store. You celebrated him? The souls of all murder victims should haunt you forever. I find it truly a laughable picture or truth that you call yourselves an ethics board. Instead I believe the board is there to consider if you will get sued or not. I don't think you consider the public at except for the wow factor, will it arouse enough emotion or such to increase revenue? Many of your stories that are printed are extremely shallow -- there seems to be no other reason for them -- except to fill space. And you call yourselves an ethics board? Is Frank Tilley on it? If so, it is the lack of ethics board and the Victoria Advocate supports violating laws of the United States. Even the employees are trying to justify. And you call the VA a NEWSPAPER? Instead it appears to nothing but a mere machine for personal events versus true news. That is why there is so little of true news in your paper? Ethics, I am rolling on the floor laughing, and laughing, and laughing and laughing..... posted by
ChrisCobler
on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:19 AM
South Texas Guy,In my opinion, your attacks on Mrs. McHaney are misplaced. She is as committed to the well-being of her community as anyone I've met in Victoria. She and others in her family devote much of their time to many community causes. She did personally support Deborah Branch in the primary race for district attorney. Our editorial board does not take positions on local races, however, and Mrs. McHaney has never tried to influence news coverage regarding our current district attorney or anyone else, for that matter, in my time as editor. When I arrived in April 2007, I spent the first several months trying to get to know various community leaders and their motivations and their issues. During that time, I met several times with the district attorney and did share quite a few laughs with him and many others. I've tried to make it clear to all community leaders that my door is open at any time. During our ethics board meeting Tuesday, the board also discussed how some blur our news coverage with our editorial board's opinions about the "Law and Disorder" controversy and other issues. That's a somewhat unavoidable challenge as long as our board think it's important to take strong stands on a variety of issues. The editorial board has taken strong stands on the ongoing "Law and Disorder" saga. If anyone has any specific concerns about news coverage, please call to arrange a discussion. My direct number is 361-574-1271. I hope we'll share a laugh, too. posted by
southtexasguy
on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:58 AM
I sincerely doubt the DA will be seen laughing with you. At you, maybe, (and the rest of this bogus "ethics" board,) once the indicted officials are found guilty or plead out and you, and Mrs. McHaney, have to start eating crow. "Fair and balanced" reporting? That's about as funny as you, with your background, sitting on a journalistic ethics board.
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