Sports Media, 2nd Edition

11 Ethics

The New York Times, usually considered the gold standard in terms of journalistic practice and integrity, has found its reputation severely tarnished in recent years. Most of the controversy focused on reporter Jayson Blair and his admissions that he fabricated and plagiarized several stories in 2003. The situation forced the resignations of several powerful Times executives, including executive editor Howell Raines.

The year before, Raines had found himself in a less serious, but no less controversial, situation. It was during the heated debate over the Augusta National Golf Club and its policy of not admitting female members. Martha Burk of the National Council of Women's Organizations called for a boycott and then protest against ...