Last updated on Feb 4, 2024

How can journalists manage conflicts of interest?

Conflicts of interest are situations where a journalist's personal or professional interests may compromise their ability to report fairly and accurately on a story. They can undermine the credibility and integrity of journalism, as well as damage the trust and confidence of the audience. How can journalists manage conflicts of interest and avoid ethical dilemmas? Here are some tips and best practices to follow.

1 Identify potential conflicts

Journalists should recognize the potential for a conflict of interest to arise in any situation, such as having a personal or financial relationship with a source, subject, or sponsor of a story, accepting gifts or incentives from them, having a personal or political bias or opinion that may influence reporting, having a personal or professional stake in the outcome of a story, or working for competing media outlets. It is essential to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to editors, managers, or supervisors as soon as possible and seek their guidance and approval on how to proceed.

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Valerie Seckler

Independent journalist, blogger, social media hound
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Basic blocking and tackling in avoiding conflicts of interest between a journalist's source and a journalist include being aware of when sources would have an ax to grind. Some sources will talk to journalists at least in part because of the source's own interests. Their interest could be as simple as self-promtion -- seeing or hearing their name or the name of an enterprise in the media. Journalists ought to remain vigilant in guarding against a source's self-interest even as the source might relate certain information that is reliable.

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2 Avoid or minimize conflicts

In order to manage conflicts of interest, it is important to avoid or minimize them as much as possible. Strategies for doing so include declining or returning any gifts, favors, or incentives that may compromise the independence and impartiality of the journalism. Additionally, journalists and editors should refrain from reporting or editing stories that involve personal or professional interests or relationships, and assign them to other professionals instead. It is essential to maintain a clear separation between editorial and commercial or promotional activities, and avoid any endorsements or sponsorships that may create a perception of bias or influence. Personal and political opinions should be kept private and separate from professional work, while any advocacy or activism should be avoided in order to not conflict with the journalistic role. Finally, codes of ethics and standards of the media outlet or organization should be followed, along with principles of accuracy, fairness, balance, and transparency.

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3 Disclose and explain conflicts

Sometimes, avoiding or minimizing conflicts of interest may not be possible or practical, and journalists may have to report or edit stories that involve some degree of conflict. In such cases, it is important for journalists to disclose and explain the nature and extent of the conflict to the audience. This includes acknowledging any personal or financial relationships with sources, subjects, or sponsors of a story, revealing any personal or political biases that may affect the reporting or editing of a story, and stating any personal or professional stakes or involvements in the outcome of a story. Additionally, journalists should inform the audience of any competing or conflicting media outlets or organizations they work for or freelance for. Disclosing and explaining conflicts of interest can help to maintain accountability and credibility, as well as build trust and rapport with the audience.

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Ekaterina Lenkova

BBC Moscow | Assistant Producer | English Tutor
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Ensure you cover both sides of the conflict. It's vital to provide equal opportunity for all parties involved to share their perspectives. This not only upholds fairness but also provides a comprehensive understanding of the situation. P.S. The cornerstone of journalism lies in staying impartial while presenting a balanced view of any given situation.

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4 Seek feedback and review conflicts

Managing conflicts of interest is an ongoing and dynamic process, and journalists should regularly seek feedback and review their performance and decisions. To do this, they should ask for input from colleagues, editors, managers, or supervisors on how to handle conflicts of interest. They should also solicit and respond to comments and complaints from the audience on how they perceive and evaluate the journalism. Additionally, they should consult and update the codes of ethics and standards of the media outlet or organization, as well as reflect and learn from their experiences with stories that involve conflicts of interest. By seeking feedback and reviewing conflicts of interest, journalists can improve their skills and judgment, as well as enhance their professionalism and reputation. Ultimately, this will help them uphold the values and principles of journalism, while delivering quality and trustworthy journalism to the audience.

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NABA DHUNGANA

Notary Public & Licensed Paralegal
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Seek guidance and oversight from editors or an ethics committee when in doubt about potential conflicts, or consult with the colleagues if you have doubt about conflicts of interest

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can journalists manage conflicts of interest?

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3

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1 Identify potential conflicts

2 Avoid or minimize conflicts

3 Disclose and explain conflicts

4 Seek feedback and review conflicts

5 Here’s what else to consider

Journalism

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