Journalists seeking public office: What are the ethical issues?

TORONTO, Nov. 22 /CNW/ - Should a journalist ever run for political office? What happens if the journalist loses? Does she or he return to the newsroom? It's a complex series of questions whose answers are shaded in greys, says a new paper released by the Canadian Association of Journalists.

"Many journalists have traditionally withdrawn from political involvement, but participation in politics is every citizen's right," CAJ ethics advisory committee chair Ivor Shapiro said. "The committee didn't find it easy to justify restrictions on journalists' freedom, but we did think the nature of individual's beat or work, and the type of political position, should be weighed carefully as potential conflicts of interest. We also supported the right of a news organization to establish clear policies on reporters' activities, to protect their brands' integrity. Obviously, there's a tension between the freedoms involved."

The paper puts forth five things the committee felt journalists who wish to run for public office should do prior to filing nomination papers:

1. Consider carefully the possibility that, in the near or distant future, the activity might hinder their actual or perceived ability to conduct independent reporting.
2. Familiarize themselves with and understand any company policies governing such activity and be prepared to adhere to such policies.
3. Inform their employers, if any, of their intentions.
4. Publicly declare any real or potential conflicts.
5. Determine, in advance, specific options for re-entering the workplace in a manner that will mitigate or preclude real of perceived conflict or questions on bias resulting from the political activity.

The paper was authored by CKUA radio network general manager Ken Regan, Editor-in-Chief of The Canadian Press Scott White and Shapiro, a journalism professor at Ryerson University in Toronto.

"What we've tried to do is offer some insight into the complexities of the issues around journalists who seek public office," Regan said. "The five recommendations offer some guidance for how to exercise this fundamental right in a way that is responsible and perhaps less contentious than might be the case otherwise."

CAJ president Mary Agnes Welch welcomed the discussion paper from the ethics advisory committee. She said this paper complements the statements of principles and ethical guidelines for journalists and investigative journalism the CAJ approved in 2002 and 2004.

The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing about 800 members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy.

For further information:

Full discussion paper online - under "ethics committee" at www.caj.ca and under "ethics" at www.j-source.ca.
Mary Agnes Welch, CAJ president [phone], cell [phone]
Ivor Shapiro, chair, CAJ ethics advisory committee [phone] ext. 7195