The term “checkbook journalism” dates to 1963. According to an essay by Robert Boynton, the director of New York University's magazine writing program, titled “Checkbook Journalism Revisited,” in 1963 Esquire paid Cassius Clay (who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali) $150, which is equivalent to approximately $1,000 today, for providing information and assistance to Tom Wolfe for his article, “The Marvelous Mouth.”
The practice violates the Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics. Specifically, checkbook journalism violates the final entry under the “Act Independently” section, which reads: “Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.”
The practice of paying sources forbade because of the risks involved. A paid source may feel compelled to embellished his or her story or provide false or biased information. Furthermore, paying sources reeks of yellow journalism.
According to Boynton's essay, in 1970 Esquire paid Lt. William Calley $20,000, which has a current value of approximately $100,000, for an article titled “The Confessions of Lt. Calley.” In addition, John Sack, who received $10,000 for writing the article, allowed his agent to negotiate with the magazine for Calley.
Paying sources can also have legal consequences.
According to an article for the BBC Website written by Nick Higham in June 2003, the Lord Chancellor of Great Britain has tried to pass legislation that would make checkbook journalism (or chequebook journalism) a criminal offense more than once. The most recent attempt to outlaw checkbook journalism came after members of the press paid witnesses for information regarding the trial of five men charged with plotting to kidnap Victoria Beckham. The trial was dismissed because of the interference of the press. The legislation did not pass, but the dismissal sparked fears that paid witnesses will embellish their evidence.
No comments:
Post a Comment