None Of Your Business!
“Journalism and the
question of journalistic ethics, and why certain stories are put on the air,
when, how and for what reasons, are big questions in our culture and society.”-
Thomas Sadoski
The public has a right to know how their taxpayers’ dollars are spent. Public officials should always be held accountable in this regard. One does not have to be a trained journalist to know when a question is poorly crafted. Many tongues were left wagging and perhaps wigs fell out of place at the rather direct question by the journalist regarding infidelity of a government minister. It is often said it is not what is said but how it is said. This saying was on display recently when Zahra Burton of 18 Degrees North asked the Minister of Health and Wellness if he had cheated on his wife with any of the principals. The question was in response to allegations that Market Me Consulting Limited was unfairly awarded a contract for the Jamaica Moves campaign. Prior to Burton’s question, Gleaner reporter Edmond Campbell asked the Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton if he had a close affiliation with any of the directors of Market Me. The Minister response, “Yes, I have a great relationship with Market Me. I think they are an amazing company. They have delivered very effectively during my tenure as minister, and I have no difficultly in saying they work hard, and I enjoyed working with them.” Perhaps Burton felt the question was not answered and asked the minister outright if he had broken his marriage vows. Meanwhile, another minister of government was subjected to a question which many felt crossed the proverbial red line. The minister in this regard is JC Hutchinson the Minister with responsibility for Agriculture. Hutchinson has been at the centre of a controversy over the management of state-owned lands in St Elizabeth by a company of which his wife is a partner. The son of the minister also operates a business on the land. The journalist who is from Nationwide News asked the minister if he lives under the same roof with his partner and son. It is always poor judgment for the media practitioner to become the news.
Ethics and Societal Issues
Media practitioners are governed by a Code of Ethics. John R. Bittner, author of Mass Communication, argues that some of the more ethical issues confronting media practitioners include whether or not to report a police officer’s indiscretion is part of the practice of professional journalism. Bittner added that not everyone agrees with every decision. This is clearly the situation with regards to Burton’s very crude and gauche question to the minister. Sociologist Gideon Sjoberg suggests that our major ethical orientation is toward maintaining loyalty to our social system. He is of the opinion that many choices reporters make are based on system maintenance. He added, “reporting scandal in the government can gain a reporter prestige among colleagues, but also the loss of contacts.” Sjoberg argues that what is required is an ethic that transcends social systems. Professor Sjoberg warns that large scale bureaucracy seems to generate a secret side, and part of that secret tends to become a dark side where a great deal of manipulation takes place. Sjoberg suggests that much of this manipulation is for the purpose of maintaining the bureaucracy, especially for those who hold the power. “Many reporters operate within this secret domain. It is here that big stories arise. Yet, it also here problems arise.” While you can give a young and inexperienced journalist some slack, a seasoned journalist cannot be expected to get away with the same. A colleague stated, Zahra’s question was rude and crude. In the Jamaican media landscape investigative journalism is one of the areas lacking. One has to carefully adhere to principles of ethics while trying to get to the truth to which the public has a vested interest. In the case of Burton’s question, the Jamaican audience is entitled to know if Market Me Consulting Limited benefitted unjustly in any way. Details have since emerged that after initially rejecting the continuation of the Health Ministry’s contract with Market Me, the Public Procurement Commission ordered the Ministry to ensure that any future communication contract for the Jamaica Moves Programme be put to tender. The Market Me contract valued at $38.9 million is now the subject of controversy. The relevant question being how was the company chosen for the Jamaica Moves campaign. Investigations have since discovered that Market Me initially made an unsolicited proposal to the Ministry of Health in 2016 for a contract valued at $15.9 million which was approved. However, in 2019, the Health Ministry wanted to extend the contract but the Public Procurement Commission objected on the grounds that there was no evidence that value for money was achieved from the first contract. Under procurement rules, public entities are allowed to use direct contracting for unsolicited proposals if the proposal offers a new concept or technology or something of an otherwise unique nature. A Gleaner article dated July 18, 2020 stated, “the role of the Permanent Secretary in the awarding of the contracts to Market Me is also under scrutiny.” The public has a right to know if any breaches or conflict of interest occurred in the awarding of Market Me Consulting Limited this contract. Whenever the twin pillars of accountability and transparency are lacking society suffers. Sadly, over the years successive governments have failed at eradicating corruption.
Conflict of Interest
Conflict of Interest is a term used to describe an unethical situation in which a public official or fiduciary who, contrary to the obligation and absolute duty to act for the benefit of the public or a designated individual, exploits the relationship for personal benefit, typically pecuniary. A conflict of interest can exist in many different situations involving personal loyalty and loyalty to a private employer, government employer, or professional relationship. Specific instances of conflicts of interest can include public officials whose personal interests’ conflict with their expected loyalty to the organization, persons of authority in one business that conflicts with their interests in another company or organization, or an attorney who attempts to represent both parties in a divorce.
Politeness versus Crudeness
A journalist can be probing while being respectful. There are some basic tenets of journalism, such as objectivity, accuracy, fairness, and balance which must be adhered to at all times. The jury is still out regarding Burton s question. Do government officials have a right to privacy in their personal lives? To what extent does one’s private life impact one’s judgment in one’s capacity as a government official? It is often said that hindsight is 20/20 vision. Burton’s question will be the subject of many discussions both in the private as well as the public spheres for years to come. In consideration of all that has now been revealed, Burton’s question although unrefined and distasteful was a legitimate one. Yet it appears that most Jamaicans are divided surrounding whether or not her question was appropriate. We must however examine the contextual framework which preceded her question before we rush to cast judgment. There are those who argue that given Jamaica is a few months away from a general elections and that Dr. Tufton is considered a rising star in the Jamaica Labour Party it was a well orchestrated plot to extinguish the favorability of the minister and in so doing to throw a spanner in the works of any future leadership aspirations he might have. There is hardly anyone who is apolitical in our society; however, as a professional one should hold him/herself to the highest standards possible of one’s profession. An allegation is a claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong or illegal. Undoubtedly, we all want the best for Jamaica and as such we should hold our government and public officials to a very high standard. Dr. Tufton announced that he has reported to the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF, a series of vicious, vile and false allegations made about him on social media. He has also instructed his attorneys to use all available legal steps to ensure the prosecution of the cyber criminals.
A Gleaner article dated July 19, 2020 indicated that The Integrity Commission has taken an interest in the controversy involving the Ministry of Health and Wellness and marketing firm Market Me Consulting Limited. One should never sacrifice one’s level of professionalism and decorum in order to get a news story.
In the words of Dan Rather, ratings don’t last. Good journalism does.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
©
The public has a right to know how their taxpayers’ dollars are spent. Public officials should always be held accountable in this regard. One does not have to be a trained journalist to know when a question is poorly crafted. Many tongues were left wagging and perhaps wigs fell out of place at the rather direct question by the journalist regarding infidelity of a government minister. It is often said it is not what is said but how it is said. This saying was on display recently when Zahra Burton of 18 Degrees North asked the Minister of Health and Wellness if he had cheated on his wife with any of the principals. The question was in response to allegations that Market Me Consulting Limited was unfairly awarded a contract for the Jamaica Moves campaign. Prior to Burton’s question, Gleaner reporter Edmond Campbell asked the Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton if he had a close affiliation with any of the directors of Market Me. The Minister response, “Yes, I have a great relationship with Market Me. I think they are an amazing company. They have delivered very effectively during my tenure as minister, and I have no difficultly in saying they work hard, and I enjoyed working with them.” Perhaps Burton felt the question was not answered and asked the minister outright if he had broken his marriage vows. Meanwhile, another minister of government was subjected to a question which many felt crossed the proverbial red line. The minister in this regard is JC Hutchinson the Minister with responsibility for Agriculture. Hutchinson has been at the centre of a controversy over the management of state-owned lands in St Elizabeth by a company of which his wife is a partner. The son of the minister also operates a business on the land. The journalist who is from Nationwide News asked the minister if he lives under the same roof with his partner and son. It is always poor judgment for the media practitioner to become the news.
Ethics and Societal Issues
Media practitioners are governed by a Code of Ethics. John R. Bittner, author of Mass Communication, argues that some of the more ethical issues confronting media practitioners include whether or not to report a police officer’s indiscretion is part of the practice of professional journalism. Bittner added that not everyone agrees with every decision. This is clearly the situation with regards to Burton’s very crude and gauche question to the minister. Sociologist Gideon Sjoberg suggests that our major ethical orientation is toward maintaining loyalty to our social system. He is of the opinion that many choices reporters make are based on system maintenance. He added, “reporting scandal in the government can gain a reporter prestige among colleagues, but also the loss of contacts.” Sjoberg argues that what is required is an ethic that transcends social systems. Professor Sjoberg warns that large scale bureaucracy seems to generate a secret side, and part of that secret tends to become a dark side where a great deal of manipulation takes place. Sjoberg suggests that much of this manipulation is for the purpose of maintaining the bureaucracy, especially for those who hold the power. “Many reporters operate within this secret domain. It is here that big stories arise. Yet, it also here problems arise.” While you can give a young and inexperienced journalist some slack, a seasoned journalist cannot be expected to get away with the same. A colleague stated, Zahra’s question was rude and crude. In the Jamaican media landscape investigative journalism is one of the areas lacking. One has to carefully adhere to principles of ethics while trying to get to the truth to which the public has a vested interest. In the case of Burton’s question, the Jamaican audience is entitled to know if Market Me Consulting Limited benefitted unjustly in any way. Details have since emerged that after initially rejecting the continuation of the Health Ministry’s contract with Market Me, the Public Procurement Commission ordered the Ministry to ensure that any future communication contract for the Jamaica Moves Programme be put to tender. The Market Me contract valued at $38.9 million is now the subject of controversy. The relevant question being how was the company chosen for the Jamaica Moves campaign. Investigations have since discovered that Market Me initially made an unsolicited proposal to the Ministry of Health in 2016 for a contract valued at $15.9 million which was approved. However, in 2019, the Health Ministry wanted to extend the contract but the Public Procurement Commission objected on the grounds that there was no evidence that value for money was achieved from the first contract. Under procurement rules, public entities are allowed to use direct contracting for unsolicited proposals if the proposal offers a new concept or technology or something of an otherwise unique nature. A Gleaner article dated July 18, 2020 stated, “the role of the Permanent Secretary in the awarding of the contracts to Market Me is also under scrutiny.” The public has a right to know if any breaches or conflict of interest occurred in the awarding of Market Me Consulting Limited this contract. Whenever the twin pillars of accountability and transparency are lacking society suffers. Sadly, over the years successive governments have failed at eradicating corruption.
Conflict of Interest
Conflict of Interest is a term used to describe an unethical situation in which a public official or fiduciary who, contrary to the obligation and absolute duty to act for the benefit of the public or a designated individual, exploits the relationship for personal benefit, typically pecuniary. A conflict of interest can exist in many different situations involving personal loyalty and loyalty to a private employer, government employer, or professional relationship. Specific instances of conflicts of interest can include public officials whose personal interests’ conflict with their expected loyalty to the organization, persons of authority in one business that conflicts with their interests in another company or organization, or an attorney who attempts to represent both parties in a divorce.
Politeness versus Crudeness
A journalist can be probing while being respectful. There are some basic tenets of journalism, such as objectivity, accuracy, fairness, and balance which must be adhered to at all times. The jury is still out regarding Burton s question. Do government officials have a right to privacy in their personal lives? To what extent does one’s private life impact one’s judgment in one’s capacity as a government official? It is often said that hindsight is 20/20 vision. Burton’s question will be the subject of many discussions both in the private as well as the public spheres for years to come. In consideration of all that has now been revealed, Burton’s question although unrefined and distasteful was a legitimate one. Yet it appears that most Jamaicans are divided surrounding whether or not her question was appropriate. We must however examine the contextual framework which preceded her question before we rush to cast judgment. There are those who argue that given Jamaica is a few months away from a general elections and that Dr. Tufton is considered a rising star in the Jamaica Labour Party it was a well orchestrated plot to extinguish the favorability of the minister and in so doing to throw a spanner in the works of any future leadership aspirations he might have. There is hardly anyone who is apolitical in our society; however, as a professional one should hold him/herself to the highest standards possible of one’s profession. An allegation is a claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong or illegal. Undoubtedly, we all want the best for Jamaica and as such we should hold our government and public officials to a very high standard. Dr. Tufton announced that he has reported to the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF, a series of vicious, vile and false allegations made about him on social media. He has also instructed his attorneys to use all available legal steps to ensure the prosecution of the cyber criminals.
A Gleaner article dated July 19, 2020 indicated that The Integrity Commission has taken an interest in the controversy involving the Ministry of Health and Wellness and marketing firm Market Me Consulting Limited. One should never sacrifice one’s level of professionalism and decorum in order to get a news story.
In the words of Dan Rather, ratings don’t last. Good journalism does.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
©
Thanks for keeping me abreast of Jamaican politics. Human behavior, media sensation and politics whether at home or abroad is such a universal phenomenon. Living in the USA, I can see clear parallels. Irrespective of our views one tenet that holds true is this: Those who chose to hold offices in the public or government sphere have signed an unofficial contract to be held accountable and to have their lives and actions scrutinized on a moral and ethical basis. Thanks for giving me a taste of Jamaican politics and media exploits.
ReplyDeleteEach society has intersections of politics, media and values and attitudes. Jamaica is no different. As a member of the diaspora thanks for comment.
DeleteI do agree that Burton's phrasing of the question was crude and very inappropriate. The Gleaner reporter before her did ask the same question but in a more professional manner. Burton's method was to appeal to the cultural concept we call 'suss' and caused the Minister to dodge answering.
ReplyDeleteIt's a teaching moment. I am sure all the institutions which train journalists will be using this exchange in their course.
Delete