By Deb Hurley Brobst / SPJ Colorado Pro co-president

Reporters’ relationships with sources are important, but sometimes navigating ethical quagmires regarding them can be difficult, a panel of journalists said April 17 during a webinar presented by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Colorado Pro Chapter.

WATCH THE WEBINAR BELOW.

Those ethical issues can be huge with clear-cut answers or small in which journalists must choose an ethical path, and the panelists said one way to find your ethical North Star is to be guided by the SPJ Code of Ethics.

They suggested having trusted mentors and colleagues to discuss issues, contacting the national SPJ Ethics Hotline or sometimes telling sources the editor makes the decision.

The panel, called “When — and How — to Say No,” was moderated by Michael de Yoanna, managing editor of Mountain West News Bureau. Panelists were Tamara Banks, former Denver TV journalist and one-time mayoral adviser; Erin McIntyre, co-owner, co-publisher and co-editor of the Ouray County Plaindealer; Elliott Wenzler, Denver city government reporter for The Denver Post; and Lucas Brady Woods, government and politics reporter at KUNC Public Radio.

The webinar was geared toward journalism students and reporters new to the profession, and it was presented during SPJ’s national Ethics Week.  Panelists addressed a wide range of potential ethical issues that some new to the profession might not consider.

“There are a lot of these (ethical) questions,” Woods said. “It’s not as simple as being offered something for good coverage. As a journalist, you are constantly facing these sorts of issues, and they are subtle.”

Among the ethical challenges tackled by the panel:

Accepting food, gifts, coffee: Panelists said it was obvious they wouldn’t accept large gifts in exchange for coverage, but accepting food could be a slippery slope. They agreed they couldn’t be “bought” by a source for a cup of coffee, but asked where the line is if sources buy them meals or give them other items.

Banks said it was important for journalists to pay their own way when it comes to relationships with sources.

Advertising influences on news coverage: McIntyre said she and her husband, Mike Wiggins, made decisions when they bought the Ouray County paper in 2019 not to let advertisers influence news content.

“When we bought the paper, we were cognizant of pressures from advertisers,” McIntyre said, “and we were never going to agree to run a story because an advertising rep agrees to one. …  I have always decided that news, ethics and our integrity come first. People will appreciate that, and the money will come. Even in a small place, we try to keep the line clear between news and advertising.”

Journalism and politics: Wenzler said becoming a journalist means relinquishing some involvement in politics and other hot-button issues.

“Even the perception of bias is something you want to avoid,” she said. “We are public-facing people. … We are not supposed to be the story, so … eliminating ourselves from the story is important. (As journalists) we definitely make sacrifices.”

Source relationships: Woods said he had a source who eventually became a friend, and now he talks to her only on background or to ask her to point him toward other sources. He would not use her as a source in a story, he said.

Pre-publication review: McIntyre said the Plaindealer’s policy is to not allow sources to read stories before they are published because that may allow them to influence or manipulate coverage. However, she said, it can be OK to read back exact quotes to a source, especially when the topic is complicated or a legal issue, to ensure the quotes are accurate.

“You have guardrails,” McIntyre said. “Of course you want to be accurate, but I would never hand over an entire story for prior review.”

She noted that journalists should use their judgment with sources who are not media savvy and be clear about the rules.

Providing questions before interviews: Banks said she doesn’t give sources a list of questions before interviews, but she will provide them with topics she plans to discuss.

Sources using journalists’ photos: Weeks said while it seems mundane, he doesn’t allow organizations to use his photos on their websites or in publications because it can appear the journalist is also working for the organization.

The panelists agreed that the SPJ Code of Ethics was important to consult for any ethical issue.

De Yoanna suggested journalists keep a copy of the SPJ Code of Ethics close at hand.

“I look at it every day,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite things in the whole world. It’s been a beacon for me throughout my career as a reporter and a freelancer.”

Wenzler said she keeps in mind the guiding principles: Seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable and transparent.

Banks said: “It’s good to have a couple people who can help you think through things. Sometimes you can’t see the forest through the trees.”

McIntyre added: “It’s all about trust. If you lose that, you don’t have anything.”