By Kelli Palmer
Photo by Kelli Palmer
Sports news networks like ESPN must not be afraid to investigate professional athletes, teams and leagues, even when those reports may hurt the network’s broadcast business partners like the NFL, three panelists said during a discussion of sports journalism ethics at Towson University Wednesday.
Greg Amante, a producer at ESPN and a member of the panel, said networks must make it clear to business partners that they too can be the subjects of an investigation by sports journalists.
Panel member Ryan Sharrow of the Baltimore Business Journal said even in basic reporting, writing an unflattering story about a company that has been a source of great access can be difficult. He said sources who are the targets of investigative reports may complain even when the information in the story is based on public documents.
“Our response is always, ‘It’s there in black and white,’” Sharrow said. “We can’t let you control what we are going to say, what we are going to report. And we make sure that our facts are in place.”
The panel discussion was held at Towson’s Van Bokkelen Hall and was part of the Department of Mass Communication’s fourth annual journalism day celebration. The event was hosted by Megan Gilbert, a former TV reporter who teaches journalism classes at Towson.
The panelists agreed that while new online news sites like TMZ provide information in an unconventional way, without it, some big stories might never have been discovered.
Panelist Tyler Sigmon, a clinical assistant professor at Towson, said TMZ broke several important stories, including the racially charged comments former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling made in a recorded phone conversation with his wife, and the video showing former Baltimore Raven’s star Ray Rice dragging his then fiancée out of a hotel elevator.
“I think we do have to look at the impact that digital media is having on traditional journalism,” Amante said. “This could lead to a re-evaluation of practices and sources.”
Amante pointed out that while TMZ may be breaking news, most news organizations do not follow the website’s lead.
Photo by Kelli Palmer
According to Sigmon, society’s reaction to big news events tends to last for a shorter period of time today than in the past. Everyone is up in arms about something, until the next big thing happens, he said.
Sigmon also said the viewers must take responsibility for the poor quality of news and entertainment provided by the media. He said television networks would not show lowbrow programming if the audience refused to watch it.
The panel also agreed on the importance of sources in journalism.
Amante said that when a source wants to remain unnamed, reporters should be prepared to stand behind that source. He told the students in the audience that a journalist could go to jail for contempt of court if that reporter ignores a judge’s order to give up an anonymous source.
According to Amante, the best sources are disgruntled workers.
“They love to turn in their former bosses,” he said, adding that is it important for journalists to make sure their sources are telling the truth.
The panelists also said that a reporter’s stories can sometimes lead to problems for the journalist.
Amante said his reporting has gotten him in trouble, such as when NASCAR pulled his press credentials to cover a car race because the organization did not like a story he had produced about a woman who sued NASCAR for sexual and racial discrimination.
From the panel discussion, Amante said he hopes that students are encouraged about the journalism industry and are excited to head into it, allowing no one to stop them.
“Believe in yourself,” Amante said. “Be interested. Understand that everyone has a story and be passionate about your work.”
For students who could not make it to Wednesday’s panel, he offered this piece of advice.
“Understand opportunity,” Amante said. “When opportunity knocks, be ready to jump on it. Make sure you are where you should be, and make sure you showcase your strengths and mask your weaknesses.”