Ethics Questions for WTVD
2011-02-14 - by
Steve Daniels of WTVD last week broke the story about the FBI’s “political corruption probe” of Governor Bev Perdue some 15 years ago. But Daniels left out an interesting angle: his own.
Daniels interviewed Frank Perry, whom he identified as a former FBI agent.
But Daniels didn’t tell us that Perry is “director of investigations and public affairs” for an organization called ReportPublicCorruption.org, which is headed by former Republican State Auditor Les Merritt.
That’s important, because it suggest Perry has a political motive. After all, seed money for the organization came from one of Art Pope’s myriad groups.
More striking, Daniels didn’t tell us that he himself is involved with the group. Its website lists him as a member of the “Journalism Advisory Committee.” The committee’s duties include: “…develop the policies that will instruct the staff how the tips received through ReportPublicCorruption.org should be communicated and which investigative journalists shall receive particular tips.”
Skeptical views will ask: Did Daniels and WTVD over-hype the story because of Daniels’ role? Is this a proper relationship between a journalist and a political organization? At the very least, should Daniels have disclosed the relationship?
Ethics Questions for WTVD
2011-02-14/
Steve Daniels of WTVD last week broke the story about the FBI’s “political corruption probe” of Governor Bev Perdue some 15 years ago. But Daniels left out an interesting angle: his own.
Daniels interviewed Frank Perry, whom he identified as a former FBI agent.
But Daniels didn’t tell us that Perry is “director of investigations and public affairs” for an organization called ReportPublicCorruption.org, which is headed by former Republican State Auditor Les Merritt.
That’s important, because it suggest Perry has a political motive. After all, seed money for the organization came from one of Art Pope’s myriad groups.
More striking, Daniels didn’t tell us that he himself is involved with the group. Its website lists him as a member of the “Journalism Advisory Committee.” The committee’s duties include: “…develop the policies that will instruct the staff how the tips received through ReportPublicCorruption.org should be communicated and which investigative journalists shall receive particular tips.”
Skeptical views will ask: Did Daniels and WTVD over-hype the story because of Daniels’ role? Is this a proper relationship between a journalist and a political organization? At the very least, should Daniels have disclosed the relationship?