Navigating conflicts of interest

Ethical policies of 12 exemplary Asian media organisations

Bibliographic Data

ID7478609
AuthorsCherian George (0000-0003-3711-7563, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, corresponding author), Yuan Zeng (0000-0002-9710-6543, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong), Suruchi Mazumdar (0000-0003-0995-5455, O. P. Jindal Global University)
Year2019
Volume22
Issue6
Pages1279-1295
Publication date2019-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournalism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1464-8849 • E-ISSN: 1741-3001
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1464884919832188
OpenAlexW2918198515
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited27

While research into non-Western media systems and professional norms are growth areas in journalism studies, little is known about the policies of news organisations beyond a few celebrated global brands. This exploratory study is situated in that gap. It examines 12 reputable media organisations in seven territories – China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines and Taiwan. Through interviews with top-level editors and executives, the study analyses their stated policies with regard to commercial conflicts of interest. In particular, how they deal with pressures from owners and advertisers who want favourable news coverage and how they respond to the demand for commercial deals that blur the boundaries between editorial and advertising. The study responds to recent calls in media ethics scholarship for critical-empiricist research on the ‘possible’ world, focusing on actually existing exemplars rather than abstract ideals. The 12 organisations have adopted a range of responses to these pressures. In general, most have policies aimed at preserving their editorial integrity even as they become more accommodating to the market. Our interviewees point to the importance of organisational culture, more than written policies, in maintaining professionalism: most of the organisations were founded by journalist-publishers whose ethos continues to exert a strong influence. While these organisations have lessons for others, it may be unrealistic to expect their culture of journalistic independence to diffuse beyond a small set of principled media outlets

Ethos · Journalism · Media studies · Political science · Public relations · Scholarship · Situated · Sociology · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Media Studies and Communication · Public Relations and Crisis Communication · Law

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