One of the things that I’ve learned over the past few months, from my research efforts in the world of conspiracy theories, is that ultimately when you research and write about conspiracy theories, you are bound to end up facing tough decisions.
Sometimes it’s a matter of discovering something so troubling, and so damaging about someone, that you realize that nothing good can come out of making that information public. In many ways, a person’s personal life isn’t really relevant to most major news stories – even when credibility is at stake.
Sure, if they’ve had business dealings that are shady, or they have a criminal record, then yes that will reflect upon the validity of their public statements. But what if they treat their family horribly? What if they are controlling and domineering inside the privacy of their home? Do these private matters have a place in the public domain?
Understanding Journalistic Principles
The Project for Excellence in Journalism, by the Pew Research Center, is one of the best resource for Journalists. On their website, they offer a very valuable page titled, “Principles of Journalism.” Unfortunately, in the field of conspiracy theories, there are so many unknowns and so much controversy that even seasoned journalists can get swept away in the sea of discourse and debate. Any time things get heated and controversial, it is a good idea to reflect upon the principles as printed by Pew Research Center.
The following are the nine core principles of journalism – defined so that any journalist can remain within the safety and bounds of practicing true journalism.
1. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth
This one seems like the easiest, but it’s actually the hardest. How do you define truth? Who’s truth? Many times, particularly in the area of conspiracy theories, beliefs parade as truths. However, journalistic truth is not philosophical truth. In journalism, truth is defined by facts. Facts are obtainable, measurable and easily defined. Upon publication, the typical journalist will reveal the sources (and methods) used to obtain the evidence. This allows the reader to confirm that the information is true.
One difficulty that the conspiracy theory journalist faces is the threat from con artists and hoaxers. In these cases, revealing methods can be detrimental to future investigations. This is why, in the field of the paranormal, sources can be revealed but methods can’t.
2. Its first loyalty is to citizens
Many news organizations have advertisers, but corporate influence has no place in news. Regardless of any financial or logistical support, the journalist that is writing up a news story must remain focused on the story and the facts at hand. If you find that outside influences, such as friends, money or fear, is influencing how you report the facts, then you aren’t doing the story justice, and you aren’t doing yourself any favors.
3. Its essence is a discipline of verification
While it’s difficult for journalists to be unbiased, it isn’t difficult to set aside personal beliefs to remove bias from the story. While the process may feel somewhat like having a split personality – the technique is using consistency in how you verify information. If you are able to develop and follow a strict protocol in how you go about verifying information, then regardless of the story you will be aligning your efforts in the same way every time. Those efforts are free from your personal bias, because you follow the protocol regardless. This makes your efforts objective, not subjective.
4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover
This one is fairly simple. Don’t accept job offers or payment, gifts or favors from the person you are writing your story about. This will immediately call your credibility into question, and it will also lead to questions about how much you are personally vested in the outcome of the story.
5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power
As a journalist, you are central to democracy in that you serve as a watchdog against corruption, misuse of power, and fraud. This is a great responsibility, so it shouldn’t be taken for granted or downplayed. If you are doing your best to report the truth of any situation, based upon verified evidence and facts, you are performing a tremendous service to your country and community.
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise
On the Internet – this one is obvious. Allow your readership the ability, in some way or form, to comment and discuss the issue at hand. Not providing a method of feedback is elitist and unfair to the public.
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant
Conspiracy Theory journalists have a lot of topics to choose from. However, if you opt for stories that are too fringe and irrelevant to larger society – you run the risk of sidelining the entire field as fringe and irrelevant. While it may fascinate you to take on these stories, it’s most important to choose stories that are truly important and relevant to the mainstream – at least in some small ways.
8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional
You must become a reliable source of news by asking the questions readers will ask, and not ignoring those questions that may lead in a direction that you don’t want the story to go. Understand that as an unbiased observer, alongside your audience, you must follow every lead before jumping to conclusions that don’t exist. That kind of jumping-to-conclusions is a behavior that’s rampant throughout the world of conspiracy theories and the paranormal.
9. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience
This is the real kicker. Every journalist “must be allowed” to exercise their personal conscience…their moral compass. Alas – this is where the bulk of disagreements and drama are born in this field. Every journalist has their own idea of moral and ethical responsibility, but so long as that journalist is following the rules of evidence and fact-checking, then journalists must be afforded the freedom of aligning with their own moral compass – not yours.
So, before you judge a journalist for covering a story, for writing about a topic or for reporting a con-artist to the authorities, think carefully about the ninth principle of journalism, and understand that it is there for a good reason.
Ryan Dube is editor-in-chief of TSW and an electrical engineer in the automation industry. He spends his time investigating declassified government documents, legends and conspiracy theories. Ryan has 293 post(s) at Top Secret Writers
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