Editor or politician? Miller can’t be both
DEAR EDITOR:
When I heard that James Miller, managing editor of the Penticton Herald was on Penticton city council I was, quite frankly, shocked.
Not because he doesn’t seem to be a good guy who potentially can do a good job at it. I was shocked because, as a former Penticton Herald full-time newsroom reporter myself, the idea of a working managing editor (a working journalist) being in public office at the same time just seems so weird, so incomprehensible, so ethically wrong. And I’m not the only one to think so. It’s both a practical and philosophical question: the potential for bias, favoritism, conflict of interest, as well as issues of independence, influence, impartiality, integrity, freedom, ethics, relevance and coverage decisions.
The Canadian Association of Journalists wrote a discussion paper about it. They found “based on even a cursory survey” that “many of the world’s major and smaller media outlets have some measure of policies relating to outside political activity by their journalists.”
Many require their journalists to not get personally involved in politics “in order to maintain journalistic and organizational integrity,” to avoid any impression of conflict that could damage reputation of the journalist, but also the news outlet itself.”
Even if the news outlet has “independent” people directly reporting on city hall issues, the boundary between city hall and other aspects of the community is, at the best of times, often blurred.
The CAJ has asked some tough questions about a journalist’s right as a citizen to run for office, the news outlet’s right to protect “their brand,” the kind of political involvement potentially acceptable.
James, do a great job of serving Penticton and area residents through being a diligent managing editor. Goodness knows we need hardworking media to hold politicians’ feet to the fire. Objective journalism at arm’s length from power is an honourable calling important to the community.
Or, James, do a great job of serving Penticton and area residents through being a diligent Penticton city councillor. (And media unencumbered will hold your feet to the fire.)
But whatever you decide, James, slow ‘er down, buddy. Do one of them at a time, and do it well. Otherwise you may find it harder than you think to dance around the fire of potential community/media conflict of interest situations.
Donna M. Henningson Penticton