By Gail Shister
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Published on 3/5/2004
Excerpt:
Authorities on journalism ethics criticized the sting.
Such stories “diminish the serious investigative public-service work that great TV stations do,” said Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute, a journalism think tank in St. Petersburg, Fla.
A veteran broadcaster and coauthor of several books on newsroom ethics, Tompkins said he found such stories “problematic” on several levels.
“They’re meant to pander to viewers’ fear. They’re out of context. The question is, ‘How often does this happen? What’s the real level of threat to the community?’ The fact that some people showed up isn’t enough.”
Another problem, in Tompkins’ view, is the use of deception and entrapment. “As a general rule, journalists don’t deceive. It’s not the technique of first resort, it’s the technique of last resort.”
That local police were not notified before the sting also worries Tompkins. “Did anyone think that somebody might show up, be upset, pull out a pistol, and start shooting?”
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