Do As I Say, Not as I Do (Patreon)

When it comes to Journalism, the job is to report the story, give all sides, and keep your opinion out of the story. 

That is not always the case anymore, but for a true Journalist that is still the standard. 

As the protests ramped up across the country, WFTX (Boston) News Director Sarah Burgess sent out a memo to the staff, reminding them how to report the story and included some guidelines from the RTDNA. 

FTVLive obtained that memo: 

From: "Burgess, Sarah (CMG-Boston)"
Date: May 30, 2020 at 7:47:19 PM EDT
To: WFXTReporters, WFXTProducers,WFXT_NewsManagers, WFXTPhotogs
Subject: Reminder: Words matter when reporting on civil unrest 

The events that have unfolded over the past week have been difficult to watch and to report on.  

It is important to remember the power of our job as journalists in this moment is to help our audience understand the situation that is unfolding across the country and here in our own backyard.  Words matter, and making sure we are smart, accurate, and thoughtful in our coverage is as important now as ever. 

We all have feelings about what is going on right now, and I found the info below helpful in navigating our coverage.  

I’d like everyone to take a minute and review the RTDNA guidelines around reporting on civil unrest that I’ve copied below.   

It is also very important to remember that, as always, safety of you and your fellow employees is of the utmost importance.  Being mindful of your surroundings is paramount. 

Please take a look, and let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks and stay safe,
Sarah 

She then attacked this to her memo: 

FTVLive agrees with this memo 100% and the advice is solid. 

Yet we were a bit surprised to see Sarah Burgess post this tweet not long after sending out her memo:

First off, as a Journalist, you tell the story, show the picture and let the viewer decide if it is "amazing" or not. You don't make that choice, they do. 

Second, That is a very wide picture, with a lot of people involved, how can you tell if everything is peaceful? You can't. 

I agree with the memo that she sent out, but Burgess might be best to take her own advice. 

Just saying....