Scenarios

Our ethical scenarios present real-world dilemmas that test editorial judgement and professional values. These challenging case studies involve conflicts of interest, privacy considerations, source protection, and difficult editorial decisions that journalists encounter daily. All material is free to download, adapt and use. Scroll down our site map for all the content in this and other sections.

Scenarios

Transparency and full disclosure – scenario

Scenarios

Doorstepping – scenario

Scenarios

Journalistic ethics – scenario

Image by Rodhullandemu released via Creative Commons BY-SA

Covering a tragedy – scenario

In this scenario we look at how a journalist should act when they witness a tragedy unfolding and have to decide whether to help, or to stand by and report.

Image by Army Medicine released via Creative Commons CC BY 2.0

Editorial impartiality – scenario

In this scenario a reporter covering a story about medical malpractice in a hospital discovers that the consultant involved is a relative. What should they do?

Tea and biscuits - image by Media Helping Media released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Returning favours – scenario

In this scenario a naive reporter's early success with a government minister leads to an ethical dilemma when a 'favour' is demanded in return.

Image by Stefán Pálsson released via Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Photo journalism – scenario

In this scenario a reporter tells the newsdesk that she has a strong news story only to find that the facts were not as they seemed.

Image by Media Helping Media released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Emotional pressure – scenario

How should a reporter respond when someone uses emotional pressure and threats to try to stop them doing their job?

Image by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 2.0

Testing boundaries – scenario

In this scenario we look at a situation where an editor faces breaking protocol because of the strength of a story.

Real ale in front of a pub fire. Image by Media Helping Media released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Legal threats – scenario

In this scenario a local newspaper reporter faces legal threats for a factual planning application report that lacked the applicant's demanded "positive spin."

Image to illustrate conflict of interest - created using Imagen 3 by David Brewer of MHM

Scenario: Conflict of interests

In this scenario you are a political correspondent working for a national public service broadcaster. A lobbying company offers you a significant amount of money to train lobbyists in how to influence the media. What do you do?