The value of ethics in business journalism

The ethical rules of business journalism online should not be any different than the standards for traditional print or broadcast business journalism, said a group of top business journalists on Saturday.

“It’s a lack of common sense,” said Karen Pensiero, assistant managing editor of The Wall Street Journal, about the problems that can occur with business journalim on Twitter or other outlets. “It’s a lack of remembering what our core ethics are.”

Pinsiero, as well as Bloomberg News executive editor Susan Goldberg and Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron were on a panel of journalism ethics at the annual Society of American Business Editors and Writers conference in Washington, D.C.

“I don’t think the standards of accuracy should be any less for online,” said Goldberg.

Baron encouraged the journalists in attendance to use traditional reporting methods.

“One great way is to pick up the phone,” said Baron. “:The problem is that everybody wants to be first.”

Added Goldberg: “Sometimes you even leave the building.”

Baron said, however, that not everything that business journalists post online can be reviewed by editors. Media organizations have to rely on the skills and training of their staff.

Pensiero said she believes that overall online delivery methods such as Twitter have been positive for business journalism and what is being experienced now are “growing pains.” She added that problem tweets from journalists are sometimes flagged by their colleagues.

“What we tell people on social media is pretend like your on television for us,” said Pensiero.

“Pause for a minute” before sending something out, said Baron. “I think that would be great.”