Is Your Newsroom an Ethical Workplace?

What managers and staffers can do to make their newsrooms as ethical as the journalism they produce.

Research in behavioral ethics and social network theory demonstrates why newsrooms have been perfect storms for unethical behavior like sexual harassment and racial inequities. Recent studies identifying “Networks of Complicity” specifically show how toxic culture thrives in newsrooms, where often the focus is solely on content and not on the workers who produce it. But there is evidence that newsrooms practicing ethical leadership and management can be workplaces where everyone can thrive and feel valued. We identify the factors that make newsrooms conducive to unethical behavior as well as point out the best practices that counter bad behavior and foster safe workplaces.

Suggested Speaker(s)

  • Minette Drumwright, Ph.D.
    Director, Communication and Leadership Degree, Moody College of Communication, University of Texas at Austin
  • Kathleen McElroy, Ph.D. (@kathleeno)
    Director, School of Journalism and Media, Moody College of Communication, University of Texas at Austin