Campaigns and Conscience ― The Ethics of Political Journalism

Seib examines the ethical issues underlying the volatile relationship between journalists and politicians. It provides an inside look at how reporters and candidates do their jobs. From the screening process news organizations use to decide which candidates to cover, to the truth-testing of political ads, to the controversies surrounding election night projections, this work articulates crucial ethical questions and helps readers in their search for answers. As a political communications text, Campaigns and Conscience looks at the many facets of political journalism: what reporters need to know before covering a campaign; how to approach the character issue; how to keep up with the frantic pace of a campaign; why campaign ads should be covered as news; the allure and dangers of polls, projections, and endorsements; and, the responsibility of the press to cover one of the most powerful quasi-political institutions--the press itself.

PHILIP SEIB is Associate Professor of Journalism at Southern Methodist University. He is also a columnist for the Dallas Morning News and is political analyst for the ABC-affiliate, WFAA Television, in Dallas. He is the author of five other books, including Who's in Charge: How the Media Shape News and Politicians Win Votes (1987).