Talk:Ethical Journalism

About this article

This article is about a specific topic which has been highly debated in the American media over the last year, that of "Ethical Journalism." The claim has been made by some that traditional American journalism is now "sick," and a proposal has even been made that it might be restricted via increased "slander laws," as has been done in some countries. It has seemed to me that with this one topic being so pivotal and important to the survival of the American form of government, it is now time that Wikipedia address this important topic with an article dedicated specifically to this one singular topic, and written with an objective of reporting on the alleged "health" or "sickness" of its current practice. Any suggestions, comments or assistance that might help to further clarify what "Ethical Journalism" actually is or is not, and to help determine if traditional American journalism is now reportedly sick, healthy, or otherwise, would be most appreciated here. Scott P. (talk) 00:00, 8 March 2017 (UTC)

Article about Trump, not about Ethical Journalism

In regards to the reverted redirect to Journalism ethics and standards: This article as written is it is clearly an attempt to discuss a very narrow issue (Trump and the media), under a very broad title, and is thus a coatrack article. If it is to remain, it should have a very specific title per WP:PRECISION. I'm sure there are hundreds of books and thousands of articles about ethical journalism, but I'd bet very few mention Donald J. Trump. WP:RECENTISM also applies. Rename this Donald Trump and media relations or merge with Public image of Donald Trump or one of the dozens of articles related to him, but don't pretend that ethical journalism began with the election of the 45th president. --Animalparty! (talk) 01:47, 8 March 2017 (UTC)

Thank you for taking the time to explain yourself Animalparty, and for compromising with a template at the top of the article, rather than working directly for a deletion. Yes, this article happens to revolve largely around Trump, but in my humble opinion, that is only because Trump happens to be the first American president to directly challenge the ability of the traditional American news media to produce "Ethical Journalism." Trump's challenge to the traditional American news media, as to its ability to produce "Ethical Journalism" is specifically what this article happens to revolve around, however from a slightly broader perspective, it is really about Ethical Journalism itself. Do we agree on its definition? Has it been mortally compromised? What would constitute its having become "fake?" These are all legitimate questions, which it seems to me, recent events have caused to be legitimately addressed in this article. Scott P. (talk) 02:10, 8 March 2017 (UTC)

This seems to be an essay, not an encyclopedia article. Juxtaposing current news items with Thomas Jefferson quotes and ethical codes strongly suggest improper synthesis of existing source, a form of orignal research. Wikipedia articles should not ask questions, nor seek to answer them (WP:NOTNEWS, WP:NOTTEXTBOOK), they should reflect the depth of existing coverage on a topic. . There is arguably a case to be made that Trump's relationship with the media, and the ethics of covering him, is a notable concept, but it should not be given such a broad title, just as an article on mixed race people should not be primarily be about Barack Obama being the first half-black U.S. president, momentous as that was for U.S. history. Specific subjects need specific titles. --Animalparty! (talk) 02:32, 8 March 2017 (UTC)

Encyclopedias tend to incorporate references from wide ranging sources, and to then reference the direction in which such references point. Just because an article includes both historical and contemporary data does not diminish an article's quality. Just because an article attempts to address a current and popular question does not diminish an article's value. If no questions were asked or answered by Wikipedia, I doubt that anyone would ever visit it. If you might have any personal contributions to enlarge on the concept of the bounds, requirements, and value of "Ethical Journalism," I would certainly welcome your properly cited contributions to this article. Scott P. (talk) 02:42, 8 March 2017 (UTC)

A request of the creator of the article: Journalism ethics and standards

To whomever it may concern:
Based on Animalparty's suggestions above, I have just made a request of the creator of the article Journalism ethics and standards to see whatever his thoughts might be about how to either improve, redirect, or whatnot to this article, as it might relate to his own article. I made this request of him here. It does turn out that he was active within the last two hours on WP, and also that he is a WP administrator. We shall see how he responds. Scott P. (talk) 03:57, 8 March 2017 (UTC)