CASE STUDY: TO

NAME A CIA AGENT?

Should it name a CIA agent who

questioned an al Qaeda leader?

CIA = Central Intelligence Agency

•Spy agency

By John Goode

Definition

Your turn: Would you name the agent? 10-question template

Write a memo of four

paragraphs:

1. Background of the case

(the facts)

2. The ethical theories

and process you used

(listed to the right and 10-

question template)

3. Alternatives with pros

and cons

4. Recommended action

By John Goode

Case study: To name a CIA agent?

June 22, 2008

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So what?

Step 1: Gather Facts Question 1:

What do I know? What do I need to

know?

10-question template

Photo by sskennel

Step 1: Gather Facts Question 1:

What do I know? What do I need to know?

10-question template

Photo by sskennel

• The CIA agent argues that using his

name would invade his privacy and

put him and his family in danger.

• There is no history of al Qaeda

hunting down individuals in the

United States.

• The media have identified many

others involved in the war against al

Qaeda.

• The CIA agent has posted personal

info online.

Step 1: Gather Facts Question 2:

What is my journalistic purpose?

10-question template

By M

M

Step 1: Gather Facts Question 2:

What is my journalistic purpose?

10-question template

By M

M

• The public needs to know

about the questioning of

prisoners.

Step 1: Gather Facts Question 3:

What are my ethical concerns?

10-question template

Step 1: Gather Facts Question 3:

What are my ethical concerns?

10-question template

• Minimizing harm

• Invading privacy

• Telling the truth

• Being credible

Is It an Ethical Dilemma? Definition:

conflict in ethical values:

• Telling the truth.

• Keeping your promise.

• Respecting privacy.

• Being fair.

• Minimizing harm.

• Avoiding conflicts of interest.

10-question template

By david pacey

Step 2: Analyze the Facts

Question 4:

What newsroom policies and professional guidelines should I consider?

By Petter Duvander

10-question template

Step 2: Analyze the Facts

Question 4:

What newsroom policies and professional guidelines should I consider?

By Petter Duvander

10-question template

Conflict between:

• Minimizing harm

• Telling the truth

Step 2: Analyze the Facts Question 5:

How can I ask other people?

10-question template

By woodleywonderworks

Step 2: Analyze the Facts Question 5:

How can I ask other people?

10-question template

By woodleywonderworks

Consult experts on the danger

Step 2: Analyze the Facts Question 6:

Who is affected, the stakeholders?

10-question template

Stakeholders Wheel

HUB = News

SPOKES =

Primary

stakeholders

RIM =

Secondary

stakeholders

Credit: Jacqui Banaszynski

By Flickr user dok1

10-question template

Stakeholders Wheel

HUB = News

SPOKES =

CIA agent and

family

RIM = CIA,

the public

Credit: Jacqui Banaszynski

By Flickr user dok1

10-question template

Step 2: Analyze the Facts

Question 7:

How would I feel if

I were one of the

stakeholders?

By Waiting for the Word

10-question template

Step 2: Analyze the Facts

Question 7:

How would I feel if

I were one of the

stakeholders?

By Waiting for the Word

10-question template

Frightened

Step 2: Analyze the Facts

Question 8:

What are the possible consequences? By Phil Whitehouse

10-question template

Step 2: Analyze the Facts

Question 8:

What are the possible consequences?

By Phil Whitehouse

10-question template

• Agent harmed

• More government secrecy

Step 2: Analyze the Facts Question 9:

What are my alternatives?

By Image Editor

10-question template

Step 2: Analyze the Facts Question 9:

What are my alternatives?

By Image Editor

10-question template

• No name

• Fake name

• First name

• Nickname and surname

• Full name

Step 3: Judge

Question 10:

Can I justify my

decision?

10-question template

By StockMonkeys.com

Step 3: Judge Question 10:

Can I justify my

decision?

10-question template

By StockMonkeys.com

• Use a nickname.

• Write editors’ note.

The Editor’s Note in The Times

Accountable and transparent

Testing Your Decision

What if your thinking were on the front page?

10-question template

Photo from The Irrawaddy

Testing Your Decision What if your thinking were on the front page?

10-question template

Photo from The Irrawaddy

By D

in J

ime

ne

z

Testing Your Decision

What would your mom think?

10-question template

Testing Your Decision Would a jury think you were fair?

10-question template

By Matt Freedman

Your turn: Would you name the agent? Arguments:

1. YES:

• Ends-based: greatest

good to most people

• Golden Mean:

Nickname minimizes

harm to the agent

• Rule-based: I publish

all true info.

2. NO:

• Golden Rule: I

wouldn’t want it

published if I were

the agent.

• SPJ Code: mimimize

harm

10-question template

Write a memo of four

paragraphs:

1. Background of the case

(the facts)

2. The ethical theories

and process you used

(listed to the right and 10-

question template)

3. Alternatives with pros

and cons

4. Recommended action

10-question template