An Ethical Dilemma

By Chris Trevino

I wouldn’t take the sandwich.

Sports editor Greg Bowers posed us this question: “If my mom (a source) offered you a sandwich, would you take it?”

I said no.

As a journalism graduate, I have been involved in many discussions on journalism ethics, both formal and informal, with teachers and fellow journalists. And Thursday’s lecture on ethical dilemmas was easily my favorite one.

The lecture revolved around the example of accepting things, namely food from a source or from a team we are covering in the press box. Now it seems silly to believe accepting a slice of pizza or a few cookies could persuade someone to write favorably for a team.

And of course we would all say that these generous acts would not sway our coverage of a team or person, but Bowers made an all important retort to that: “Do people think that?”

The perception that our audience has on us is all-important. Our stories could be 100 percent correct, but if my audience perceives me not to be credible because they think I’m influenced then my accuracy is pointless.

Now why did I say no. Well I will admit I have accepted food that was provided to by a team I was covering and it was only once. While I didn’t think of it much a few days after it, I still had it in the back of my mind. I just didn’t feel right.

But I’m still young and I know as I grow older I will be tested more by obstacles out there, which will give me an opportunity to develop a more comprehensive view of ethics.