The Shop Talk panelists discuss the perils for reporters who get too close to the people they’re covering.
The issue was the subject of a New York Times pieceby Public Editor Margaret Sullivan. She examined three situations involving reporters from the newspaper.
There are many other examples too, including one cited by Shop Talk panelist Jasmine Crighton. She said a young reporter took a selfie with a well-known politician whom she would soon be covering in Washington D.C.
Crighton said some people felt that crossed the line, while others believed it was not a big deal. Crighton said such photos are probably less of an issue with younger journalists.
But panelist Lisa Kernek believes reporters should consider how their audience views such photos. She said the audience wants to know reporters won’t pull any punches in their coverage.
